Uncovering the hidden volunteers in palliative care: a survey of hospice trustees in the United Kingdom

摘要

Approximately 80% of all in-patient hospice and palliative care in the United Kingdom is provided by the charitable sector,1 which relies heavily on volunteers to perform myriad roles.2 Hospice trustees are a specific group of volunteers who are responsible for the governance and management of independent charitable hospices.3 Their role is to maintain a strategic overview of the direction and performance of the whole organisation,4 and they also have a significant leadership role. However, little is known about hospice trustees, and although there is a body of research literature about volunteers, very little of it includes trustees. To gain a better understanding of the profile, roles and views of current UK hospice trustees, a national survey was undertaken.