COTSWOLD Care Hospice has appointed Andy Fletcher as its new chief executive.

He will join the Minchinhampton-based charity on June 1.

Mr Fletcher is currently Director of External Affairs at Together for Short Lives – previously Children’s Hospices UK – where he has been based for nearly five years.

For Mr Fletcher, it will be a homecoming. He spent seven years as a child growing up in Minchinhampton.

“This is where I most feel at home and one of the reasons why I am delighted to be joining Cotswold Care,” says Mr Fletcher.

In the past five years Cotswold Care Hospice has seen a significant growth in its services. There has been a 41 per cent increase in referrals for day hospice and a 225 per cent increase in referrals for outreach services.

In 2004 the charity’s Hospice at Home nurses provided 4,300 hours of care in people’s homes. Last year they provided 24,000 hours.

Now the charity is preparing to unveil its five-year community strategy aimed at delivering more services based across a range of locations in the community.

“Gloucestershire faces incredible care challenges in the years ahead,” said Dr Trevor Bentley, Chair of Trustees.

“People are living longer and that can mean we are living with more health complications. The charity is committed to extending our services to reach those who need our support.

“The trustees felt the charity needed a strong chief executive who can lead the charity through this important period of growth and development.

“With Andy’s experience in the hospice sector and his understanding of strategic development we believe he is the ideal person to take Cotswold Care forward.”

“Talking to the people who use our services I passionately believe Cotswold Care has a key role – and responsibility – to help the people of Gloucestershire live well,” said Mr Fletcher.

“I am looking forward to working with the staff and volunteers to develop services that support more people by taking our care to them, in the heart of the community.”