Meet Anna Stabler

“Becoming a trustee is about giving back to the hospice for the care they gave me.”

Anna joined our Board of Trustees in June 2024. She brings extensive knowledge and experience from a glittering 38-year career in nursing, where she held several influential leadership positions and helped develop award-winning nursing and midwifery practices in healthcare settings across the North East and Cumbria. Anna also has first-hand experience our care. Here, we asked Anna why she decided to become a Trustee at St Oswald’s Hospice, what her ambitions are in the role and what hospice care means to her.

Tell us about your career…

I’ve been a nurse for about 38 years. I trained at Shotley Bridge Hospital, and worked as a General Nurse in Newcastle and Gateshead before going to Cambridge and London to practice midwifery.

I then returned to the North East in various senior roles and helped set up Children’s Centres in Kenton and Fawdon, as well as the Adult Safeguarding Team for Newcastle Hospitals.

After that, I returned to my love for midwifery and became a Matron in Newcastle, before going on to work for NHS England in a Quality and Safety Role and then as the Deputy Director of Nursing, Midwifery and Quality in Cumbria.

I became the Director of Nursing for a Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), before becoming the Chief Nurse at Cumberland Infirmary and Whitehaven – a role I held until I retired.

What an amazing career! What have you been up to since retiring?

Alongside being a Trustee at St Oswald’s Hospice, I am a Non-Executive Director at Gateshead Hospital and I sit on the bench as a Magistrate in Family Court.

I’m also a wife and mother, and have a little cockapoo called Boris. In my spare time I love to walk and swim.

What drives you to do what you do?

I want to make a difference for the people I serve and look after. I think the NHS and places like St Oswald’s Hospice are amazing because of the great care they deliver. I want to be a part of that. 

Why did you become a Trustee at St Oswald’s Hospice?

I was diagnosed with cancer when I was 38 years old. I ended up having rigorous treatment, including major surgery and radiotherapy, which left me with lymphoedema. Because of that, I have been a patient of St Oswald’s Hospice, for almost 20 years.

Becoming a trustee is about giving back to the hospice for the care they gave me.

What will the role involve?

I’ll be attending various meetings and I’m hoping to visit shops and do walk-rounds at the hospice. Overall, I’ll be giving support wherever it’s needed.

What will you bring to the Trustee role?

I’m very experienced in governance and regulation. I’ve already been in contact with St Oswald’s Hospice’s Head of Governance and I am looking forward to working with her in the future.

I also feel I’m good at talking to people and listening to their experiences. 

What’s most important when it comes to Hospice Care?

Making the care personal. It’s about involving the family as much as possible and ensuring everyone has a ‘good death’.

What do you think are the biggest challenges hospices are facing?

Funding is a massive challenge because much of the good work delivered at hospices, including St Oswald’s Hospice, is dependent on donations.

Demand and capacity for care service is another challenge.

Using your first-hand experience, how would you describe the care at St Oswald’s Hospice in 3 words?

Caring. Compassionate. Kind.

Welcome to the Board of Trustees, Anna!

Meet all our trustees here.