Marie Curie Appoints New Trustee

Marie Curie has today announced the appointment of Professor Richard Harding as a new trustee.

Richard Harding is Herbert Dunhill Professor of Palliative Care & Rehabilitation at the Cicely Saunders Institute, King’s College London. He is Director of the World Health Organisation Collaborative Centre for Palliative Care, and Vice Chair of the World Hospice Palliative Care Alliance.

Richard’s global research portfolio focuses on the generation of robust, relevant evidence to advocate for accessible, quality palliative and end-of-life care. His research focuses on patient and family-centred outcomes to determine quality, and on delivering the knowledge needed to ensure that policy and practice are driven by evidence.

He leads a number of research themes that aim to increase palliative care provision responsive to the specific needs of neglected groups. These research themes include non-cancer patients and their families, LGBT people, children, and people in low and middle-income countries.

Commenting on the appointment, Vindi Banga, Chair of the Board of Trustees at Marie Curie, said: “As the UK’s lead charity of palliative and end of life care, I am delighted to welcome Richard as a new trustee.

“Richard’s academic background and insights from the world of palliative care research will be incredibly valuable to the charity.  His commitment to addressing the specific needs of neglected and vulnerable groups in society, aligns closely with the charity’s own work in tackling social injustices and inequalities where they exist.  Richard’s research work exploring the experience of those faced with bereavement is also of interest, as Marie Curie seeks to encourage more people to talk about death, dying and bereavement.”

Professor Harding added: “It is a great pleasure and an honour to join such a talented and committed Board, and to serve such a highly regarded charity.  Marie Curie is recognised across the UK for its role in supporting patients and families facing the challenges of terminal illness. I am keen that we keep challenging ourselves as an organisation to ensure that we always strive to do the best we can for everyone facing the end of life, to ensure our care is evidence-based practice, and to ensure that no-one is excluded from the best that palliative care can offer.”