A FORMER High Sheriff of Dorset has joined a Poole-based hospice care charity as a patron.

Jacqueline Swift, who is currently Deputy Lieutenant of the county, has been welcomed by the team at Lewis-Manning Hospice Care.

Ms Swift joins with a wealth and depth of knowledge and expertise in the Dorset healthcare sector, having previously worked as vice chair of the NHS Dorset Clinical Commissioning Group, as well as holding a number of senior executive roles in the private sector.

She said: “I am delighted to become a Patron of Lewis- Manning Hospice Care.

"This is a very exciting time in the life of this charity, as it embraces the contemporary and innovative strategies in end-of-life care.

"It’s very well placed in the community, at the heart of peoples’ needs, at a time in society when we are more aware than ever of ensuring that people have a good death.

"The hospice is achieving so many good things and I am really looking forward to being a part of its continuing journey.”

Lewis-Manning Hospice Care is a charity established 29 years ago, providing extraordinary care to patients and their families facing a life-limiting illness across Poole, Purbeck and East Dorset.

The charity offers a range of free hospice care services aimed at helping people to live well through their illness, closer to home.

Clare Gallie, Lewis-Manning Hospice Care chief executive, said: “I am thrilled that Jacqueline has agreed to join us as Patron, a voluntary role at our charity, and to have the opportunity to work together into the future”.