One of the country’s top nurses has been appointed as new Director of Clinical Services at Derian House Children’s Hospice.
Professor Catherine Randall has more than 37 years of leadership experience, in national safeguarding for NHS England, as a Chief Nurse, and in supporting East Lancashire’s COVID-19 response.
She is also an Honorary Professor at University of Central Lancashire (UCLAN) and serves as Non-Executive Clinical Director at East Lancashire Hospitals Trust.
The new role will see her leading the clinical team at the Chorley-based hospice, which looks after 400 babies, children and young people with life-limiting illnesses from across the North West.
She will join Derian House in September and plans to build on the charity’s good work in delivering outstanding, compassionate palliative care and ensuring that every child and their family matters.
Catherine plans to bring her expertise from working within the NHS at local, regional and national levels to add to the already outstanding work Derian House delivers.
Mrs Randall, who grew up in Withnell, and went to high school in Chorley, says the leadership role also brings with it a personal aim for her to achieve a magnificent quality and nationally-recognised service.
She said: “I am over the moon to accept this very important and privileged role as Director of Clinical Services at Derian House. I remember the hospice opening 30 years ago when I was a junior nurse. I always aspired that one day I would like to work for this incredible charity and so this role feels like a dream come true.
“Every child is paramount and my drive and motivation is to make every day special for our children and their families. I believe I can make a difference and ensure that they live their lives to their full potential.”
It costs the charity £6 million to run services every year, and with only a small percentage of this coming from the government, Mrs Randall will work with NHS commissioners on grant funding.
Mrs Randall lives in Samlesbury with husband John, a GP, and cockapoo Mabel. She has three grown-up children – Oliver, Martha and Dominic – and enjoys the outdoors, walking and visiting Scotland.
The charity’s current Director of Clinical Services Lynn Grayson, is to retire in November following eight years with the charity and a 38-year career in children’s nursing.
Karen Edwards OBE, Chief Executive of Derian House Children’s Hospice, said: “We are delighted to welcome Catherine to Derian House. She will bring a wealth of skills, experience and passion for improving the lives of children and young people within the field of healthcare.
“We are confident that she will continue to take us on our journey to be the number one specialist provider of children’s palliative care throughout Lancashire, South Cumbria and Greater Manchester.”
