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Back ‘home’ for hospice matron

Sue Carr
10/ 9/2008

A TAMESIDE-born nurse has returned to her roots as the new matron of Willow Wood Hospice.

Karen Vallantine has worked at the Christie Hospital in Manchester for more than 20 years, first as a nurse and later as ward manager.

The 42 year old spent her first three years in Stalybridge before moving to Stockport where she still lives and says she’s delighted to be back in the borough.

"I know a lot of people who live in Tameside and what Willow Wood means to them," she said."I’ve always been interested in palliative care and with different government initiatives happening at the moment it’s an exciting time. I wanted to be at the forefront of that and feel that I’ve got a lot of experience and knowledge that I can give to Willow Wood."

The mum-of-two will fill the void left by former matron Barbara Robinson who tragically died in October last year after falling down a ravine.

Karen already has links to the Ashton hospice as a member of Werneth Low Golf Club.

"When Willow Wood first opened a number of staff from Christie’s came to work here," she added. "I was also aware of its reputation through Werneth Low Golf Club which has had Willow Wood as its chosen charity for a number of years. Everyone has been very welcoming, I’m looking forward to getting to know them and looking forward to the future."

Willow Wood Hospice, which opened its doors in 1999, provides palliative care for people with life-threatening illnesses. Since then the hospice has cared for thousands of patients and their families.