Director of Nursing Marjory Mackay is our Director of Nursing Expand Marjory took up post at Strathcarron in 2002, having worked in a range of specialties and settings before taking up palliative care in 1993. She has a MSc in Palliative Care and joined the team from a lecturing position at the University of Glasgow.
Chief Executive Irene McKie, our Chief Executive, is responsible for the day to day running of Strathcarron Hospice. Expand Irene McKie is a graduate of the University of Glasgow and Strathclyde Business School. She has over 25 years NHS senior health service management experience and has been our Chief Executive for 16 years.
Consultants We have five Consultants in Palliative Care Medicine Expand Dr Gill Foster, Consultant in Palliative Medicine and Medical Lead, has worked at Strathcarron Hospice since 1998. Gill originally trained as a GP then transferred her skills and experience to working in palliative care. She qualified as a Consultant in 2014. Gill has particular interests in education, communication training, renal palliative medicine, lymphoedema care and medicines management. She is a trained Project ECHO facilitator. Anna is a Scottish Gaelic speaker who completed her undergraduate medical training at St Andrews and Keele Universities before undertaking post-graduate medical training. Anna went on to complete her specialist Palliative Medicine training in Oxford and joined our Consultant team in June 2021. Anna's interests include medical education, undertaking systematic reviews, virtual consultations and the use of medications to improve symptoms. Anna is married with 3 children and enjoys sewing, crochet and hiking in her spare time. Dr Till Kroeber, Consultant in Palliative Medicine joined Strathcarron Hospice in 2011, prior to which he was a Consultant at Farleigh Hospice in mid-Essex and the mid-Essex Hospital Services NHS Trust in Chelmsford since 2006. Till provides palliative medical support to Forth Valley Royal Hospital as well as Strathcarron and he has special interest in acupuncture and electronic records. Dr Sarah Miller has been employed as Consultant in Palliative Medicine at Strathcarron Hospice since 2014. She has an interest in acute hospital palliative care, particularly in managing symptoms in people with respiratory and cardiac conditions, and is the lead for palliative medicine in Forth Valley Royal Hospital. Sarah is a supervisor for doctors in training and is involved in medical education and staff support. Outside of work, Sarah is married, and enjoys leading a local Girlguiding unit, running and open water swimming. She also enjoys island hopping and has visited over 90 Scottish islands. Catriona graduated from Aberdeen University and completed training in Palliative Medicine in Edinburgh. She came to work at Strathcarron in 2023 after over 21 years as a Consultant in Palliative Medicine in Lanarkshire. She enjoys providing excellent hospice care to patients and families, and also works with the CNS team covering the communities of Falkirk and Grangemouth. She has particular experience in service development, training and teaching . She spent her childhood in Alloa and Callander and is pleased to be working in her home region of Forth Valley.
Director of Operations Billy Andrew is our Director of Operations and Company Secretary. Expand Billy has an MBA from Strathclyde Business School and joined the Hospice from Marie Curie in 2008 following a career in Management consultancy.
Do I need to bring my medication Expand Yes. Bring all your medication with you. It will be discussed during your assessment by our Day Care Manager
What happens in Day Care? Expand The day is structured around therapeutic treatments and social activities. Our service includes: -continuous assessment of your needs to help you remain as independent as possible in coping with your illness -practical advice and information for you and your family -an opportunity to meet others in similar circumstances -giving free time to your family carers to do something for themselves -opportunities to participate in various activities including creative crafts, gentle exercises, and visiting entertainment -access to our hospice services, including the Social Work Team, Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy, Psychology Services and spiritual care -a chance to receive complementary therapy, a manicure or a hair cut Our service is co-coordinated by the Day Care Manager, Mandy Malcomson with support from experienced nurses, creative art workers, secretarial support and hospice volunteers.
How many sessions can I attend? Expand Initially you would be offered a twelve week placement with a review at the ninth week. You will then be informed if a further placement can be offered.
How will I get there? Expand Some of our patients have someone to bring them. For those without transport of their own, our Hospice Volunteer Drivers can collect you in the morning and take you home at the end of the day.
When is Day Care available? Expand Our sessions run from 10am-4pm on Monday - Friday. Patients normally attend one day a week.
How can I be referred for Hospice Day Care? Expand Normally your GP or Hospital specialist will refer you to Strathcarron Day Care services. This referral will be followed up by a home visit. The Day Care Manager will then contact you by telephone and arrange for a short first visit to introduce you to Strathcarron Day Care staff and facilities. If you are a health professional, please ring us on 01324 826222 to contact a member of the Day Care team.