BOSSES at Bury Hospice have denied there are management problems despite an audit report finding vital policies did not exist.

An independent investigation into the running of the hospice found fundraising, finance, human resources, risk management and board meeting policies were weak or non-existent.

No evidence of financial misconduct was found in the audit, carried out at the request of Bury Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) as a condition of the £124,000 it handed to the hospice in August.

The policies are needed as a reference point for workers and so trustees can ensure correct procedures are being followed.

The CCG has listed numerous changes the hospice’s trustees and management need to make to improve governance and transparency for the benefit of staff and the public – and has asked Bury Hospice to draft an action plan to implement improvements.

In a statement, Jacqui Comber, chief executive of Bury Hospice, responded: “Bury CCG has been very supportive of the hospice.

“The audit report did not identity any areas of concern. As in all audits of this kind, recommendations are often made.

“The hospice has satisfied the CCG that the recommendations are being implemented.”

A second audit is now expected to be carried out into the children’s hospice Grace’s Place over its financial viability, , which is currently behind schedule after work on the building stalled.

At the CCG’s board meeting on November 26, board members discussed whether the hospice’s action plan was sufficient.

Stuart North, chief officer of the CCG, said: “As part of our commitment to support the hospice, a one-off financial allocation was agreed by the CCG.

“As part of this offer of support, with the agreement of the hospice, internal auditors reviewed its governance arrangements.

“The audit identified some areas where governance and transparency could be strengthened, and we are pleased that the trustees of the hospice have accepted the recommendations, some of which have now been implemented.”

One specific recommendation the audit report made was that the hospice should hold a public annual general meeting (AGM) in the interests of transparency.

It is understood hospice management have agreed to look at how openness can be improved but have not committed to holding an AGM.

In her statement, Mrs Comber added: “ The report did indicate that there could be some improvement in transparency and openness.

“The trustees have since written an open letter to the people of Bury to explain the hospice’s current situation.

“There are also regular meetings with staff and volunteers and we have met with a number of support groups and supporters.

“Bury Hospice is a charity, It does not have members and therefore is not required by law to have an AGM. However, an open evening is planned for early 2015.”

It is understood no staffing changes were recommended by the CCG and the appointment of a new chairman of trustees Colin Green was made prior to the audit.

The CCG is expected to review its funding of Bury Hospice next January or February.

Mr North added: “Our clinicians are reviewing the end of life care pathway as a whole.

“This will be discussed at a future board meeting, at which point we will be reviewing our investment into the hospice.”

The Bury Times also understands Bury Hospice is in talks with Pennine Acute NHS Foundation Trust, which runs Fairfield Hospital, over whether the six beds at the centre, currently empty, could be taken over by Pennine Acute as a community care facility.

A further audit into Grace’s Place is now expected to be carried out to investigate the funding available to complete the building.

Grace’s Place, was due to open this autumn at the old Bury Hospice site in Dumers Lane, Radcliffe as a partnership between the hospice and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

Bury Hospice trustees are in negotiations with Pennine Care and the CCG to determine whether Grace’s Place can stand alone as a separate organisation.