John Watkins

I was a cardiologist in Portsmouth for 32 years and managed many patients through their final days in hospital. It was clear that a busy hospital ward was not the most appropriate or dignified setting for many of them, but commonly the only available option.  As the Rowans Hospice was able to expand its service to include patients, not just with terminal cancer but with a variety of other life-limiting illnesses – including those with end-stage heart disease – it meant these patients and their families could be managed compassionately and holistically in a much more appropriate environment.  It is a privilege to have the opportunity to use the experience I gained in the NHS to help ensure the Rowans Hospice Charity continues to provide an excellent service for our community.