Thames Hospice 'thrilled' to announce new chief executive appointment

Thames Hospice has appointed Dr Rachael de Caux as its new chief executive officer. 

Dr de Caux is currently the deputy chief executive and chief medical officer for the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board (ICB).

In addition, she is emergency consultant in emergency medicine at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and has worked with Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

She will take over from departing CEO Catherine Mclaughlin – who is retiring – on December 1 this year.

Dr de Caux said: “I am delighted to be joining this outstanding organisation, and excited to be leading the next chapter.

“I am already struck by the passion and commitment demonstrated by the staff and volunteers here, and feel privileged to play a role in ensuring all patients and their families continue to receive compassionate, high-quality end-of-life support.”

Thames Hospice chair of trustees Chris Aitken thanked Ms McLaughlin for her ‘dedication and commitment’ to the hospice.

He said: “She leaves Thames Hospice in a strong position and will be greatly missed by the staff and volunteers.”

Speaking to the Advertiser in April, Ms McLaughlin said she wanted to ‘bring something very different’ to the hospice when she became its CEO in 2022.

She discussed how her own experience with palliative (end-of-life) care for her late husband, had shaped her view of what hospice care should look like.

Under her leadership, the hospice has undergone significant change and transformation.

She has also called for health leaders and government to consider palliative care as of the same importance as medical specialisms like radiology and cardiology.

Ms McLaughlin is now set to step back from the CEO role, after a 40-year career in clinical leadership roles across the NHS.

Commenting on Dr de Caux’s appointment Mr Aitken said: “The board and I are thrilled to welcome Rachael to Thames Hospice and her appointment marks an exciting chapter in our journey.

“Rachael brings an impressive wealth of experience to lead our exceptional teams, help us navigate the challenges ahead and ensure we continue to provide excellent, compassionate hospice care for our local community.”