‘Inspiring’ women’s art is in the right place

Wed 16th June 2010 12.29PM

THREE ‘inspiring women’ who have dedicated many years of service to St Ann’s Hospice were among those whose photographs were chosen to be included in a new piece of art by local artist Charlotte Newson. They include Dot Entwistle from Heald Green, who retired from the hospice this month after 37 years service; Sue Taylor from Cheadle Hulme, who retires in August after 26 years with the hospice and Denise Denny from Bramhall, who retired in March after almost 20 years of working at St Ann’s Hospice.

All three appeared in a photo mosaic portrait which was commissioned to celebrate the life of Manchester Suffragette, Emmeline Pankhurst. It was the first contemporary public artwork celebrating women in Manchester and formed part of an exhibition called Women Like You at Manchester Art Gallery. The mosaic was made up of photographs of local ‘inspiring women’ and includeed 13 staff and volunteers from St Ann’s Hospice including Dot, Sue and Denise. A poster of the original piece of artwork has been donated to St Ann’s Hospice. Dot is currently the Day Therapy Team Leader at St Ann’s Hospice in Heald Green.

She has been instrumental in developing Day Therapy to a recognised Specialist Palliative Day Care Unit and consultant-led Medical Outpatient Service. Five years ago she was invited to visit the Hospice of Hope in Romania to advise on setting up a Day Care Service in Romania’s only hospice. As Inpatient Services Manager, Sue has overseen a considerable number of changes at St Ann’s Hospice in recent years including refurbishment work and structural changes.

She has had the opportunity to ‘fly the flag’ for St Ann’s Hospice having been asked to present work she has helped to develop at international conferences. However, Sue says her greatest achievement has been helping to recruit and train staff who deliver the highest standards of care and support to patients and their families and carers. Denise spent 11 years working as a midwife before changing career and working in palliative care at St Ann’s Hospice. As Community Services Manager she was responsible for Day Therapy Services at Heald Green and the hospice’s Neil Cliffe Centre in Wythenshawe as well as managing Respite Teams in Salford and Trafford for a period of time.

St Ann’s Hospice Chief Executive, Terry McDonnell, who himself is set to retire in July, said: “Dot, Sue and Denise have been an inspiration to all of us who have had the privilege to work with them and, after giving so many years of service to St Ann’s Hospice, we wish all of them well as they take up their retirement.