THE Chairman of Bury Hospice has resigned.

In his letter of resignation, Colin Greene said that there is a small group of people who are "determined to destroy" everything the hospice exists for.

He said that several public figures had told him that his view of the hospice is "clouded and not objective", and he believed his position had become untenable.

An acting chairman will be appointed at the hospice board's next meeting, on January 26, with Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) offering to support the hospice in the recruitment and selection process of a new chairman and additional trustees.

Mr Greene said:  “I have been told personally by several people in public positions that specifically my view of the way the hospice has been managed is clouded and not objective and that this is a view widely held by some supporters and agencies associated with the hospice. 

"Recent and unjustified accusations about events at the hospice and the recent press activity would indicate that there are small core of people working against the good name and dedicated people of the hospice, who seem determined to destroy everything it exists for.  I repeat, the hospice exists solely for the support it provides to patients and families and this must be the focus of everyone involved with it.

“I would like to thank everyone, staff and volunteers who have recently shown  their support for the Trustees and Management. However, regrettably, I feel that my position is untenable and it is time for me to allow someone else to take over as Chair of Trustees.”

It is understood that hospice trustee Margaret Lloyd will be leading the selection process.

She said: "We still have a group of four trustees and they will remain in place as long as they are needed. Between ourselves and the hospice's senior management team, we will be taking the management decisions.

"Fortunately, this is a relatively quiet period of the year, when there aren't a lot of big strategic decisions to take.

"In the new year, we will know more about the direction the hospice will be taking.

"We already have people in the pipeline who have expressed an interest in becoming trustees."

In October, three trustees resigned from the hospice board amid concerns over the hospice's management, with some trustees wanting chief executive Jacqui Comber to be suspended or face a vote of no confidence.

The board opted not to after others expressed the view that the hospice would suffer if no one was able to take up Ms Comber's role in the short term.

Former trustee Paul Lavin said: “He [Mr Greene] has done the right thing. The hospice needs a complete new start with new management and a new board.

“It is unfortunate that the hospice has already lost a lot of good people.”

A hospice spokesman said that Ms Comber is currently off sick, and other senior managers were not available for comment.

A statement from the hospice's board of trustees said: "The board of trustees would like to take the opportunity of thanking Colin Greene for his dedication and commitment during what has been a difficult period. He has not been afraid to stand up to the challenges presented to him and the Trustees will miss his leadership."

Stuart North, Chief Officer for the CCG, said: "We want the hospice to be a success moving forwards, continuing to provide this vital service for local families. We would like to work with the hospice to make this happen. We have offered to support the hospice in the recruitment and selection process of a new chairman and additional trustees."