ARDGOWAN Hospice in Greenock has appointed a new chief executive officer (CEO).

Linda McEnhill has been involved in palliative care for more than 25 years working in a range of settings as a practitioner, manager, director and lecturer, in Scotland and England.

Keith McKellar, Ardgowan Hospice chair, said: “We are delighted that Linda has agreed to become our new CEO and we are looking forward to continuing to develop hospice care under her leadership.”

Linda was previously involved with Ardgowan Hospice when she worked at the Prince and Princess of Wales Hospice, helping to set up the three-hospice Butterfly Children and Young People Bereavement Service in 2010.

She said: “I have happy memories of Ardgowan's warm, friendly welcome and I look forward to working with staff and volunteers to support those living in our community affected by life-limiting illness.”

Linda has held various social work and counselling roles, including Widening Access Manager for Hospice UK. It was from this background that her passion to improve care at the end of life for people with learning disabilities was fuelled.

In 1998, her desire to see equitable access to high quality end-of-life care for all people led her to establish the National Network for Palliative Care of People with Learning Disabilities. This work was recognized when she was awarded the first Hambro-Macmillan Associate Fellowship in 2003.

An award was later created in her name to recognise organisations and individuals who have made a significant difference to the end-of-life care of people with learning disabilities. 

Linda has degrees in theology, social work and hospice leadership and is a qualified clinical hypnotherapist.

Born in Glasgow, Linda now lives in Kilmacolm with her husband Peter.