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

De Caux, who is deputy chief executive and chief medical officer of the Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire and Berkshire West Integrated Care Board, will succeed Catherine McLaughlin, who will retire in September after almost two years in the role.

De Caux is also a consultant in emergency medicine at the Royal Berkshire NHS Foundation Trust and previously worked as a voluntary pre-hospital care physician at Thames Valley and Chiltern Air Ambulance.

“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,” she said. 

Chris Aitken, chair of Thames Hospice, said: “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.”

In addition to its hospice in Maidenhead, Berkshire, the charity provides a range of services including day therapies, counselling and pastoral care, physiotherapy and a 24-hour telephone advice line. 

The charity, which employs more than 330 staff and has more than 900 volunteers, supported almost 3,000 people in the year to the end of March. 

De Caux will join the hospice in December. Nick Dando, the charity’s medical director and deputy chief executive, will lead the charity in the interim after McLaughlin steps down in September.