Head of North Lincolnshire hospice retires after 30 years

The main figurehead who has shaped Lindsey Lodge Hospice in North Lincolnshire for nearly 30 years has decided to step down and retire.
Alison Tindall.Alison Tindall.
Alison Tindall.

Hospice director, Alison Tindall, along with a small group of local people, began fundraising for the Scunthorpe hospice in 1987.

Over the years Alison’s persistence and determination has developed the hospice to what it is today, a service that includes day care and in-patient services, lymphoedema management, family and bereavement support and complementary therapies.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

“I still have a great passion for palliative care and seeing the hospice grow from an idea to a reality has been a great journey.

“But none of this could have happened without the support firstly from the public and secondly our team of committed and determined staff,” said Alison, who worked at St Luke’s Hospice in Sheffield before moving to North Lincolnshire.

“Of course I will miss not working at Lindsey Lodge, especially the contact with our patients and families and the team I work with on a daily basis. There are many people I will never forget.”

In 1992 the day care unit took its first patients and was officially opened by the The Duchess of Norfolk in January 1993.

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Alison explained: “It was a proud moment seeing our efforts come to fruition.

“Over the next few years it became evident that some palliative care beds were needed and after a two year fundraising appeal we raised £1.4 million for the in-patient unit to be built. This was officially opened in February 2002 by Her Majesty The Queen.”

Since then the need for the services has continually increased and two further extensions have been built to accommodate these.

Alison plans to leave later in the year after helping her successor to settle in the role which will hopefully result in a smooth transition. She added: “The hospice has been an amazing part of my life and I wish it every success for the future. I have every confidence that it will continue to flourish and grow and continue to support our patients and their families.”

Hide Ad
Hide Ad

Paul Clark, chair of the hospice board, said: “We cannot thank Alison enough for her hard work, drive and superb leadership which have made the hospice the fantastic place it is today. We are currently searching for a successor with the right expertise and experience to ensure the hospice will continue to be led professionally and passionately.”