BURY HOSPICE is looking ahead to a bright future after the conclusion of a long-running review.

The independent probe looked into affairs at the charity between the opening of its Rochdale Old Road facility in 2013 and this February, when chief executive Jacqui Comber was suspended. She was sacked the following month.

Ms Comber was not given the opportunity to contribute to the review and has not been shown any of the written findings.

While the review found “significant failures in leadership, governance and management,” it has also outlined measures to build on sweeping changes made since the turn of the year.

Those changes, say the hospice, have boosted public confidence in it, and led to twice much cash being donated this April and May compared with the same period last year.

More than 120 people have signed up to the hospice’s lottery in recent weeks and 1,000 extra bags of donated items were handed in at the hospice shops between the start of April and the end of June compared with the same period last year. Furniture sales are up 27 per cent.

More people took part in the Colour Run fundraising event in Burrs Park in June than bosses anticipated and there are fledgling plans for more fundraising events in the near future.

Changes made include the appointment of experienced hospice leader Stephen Greenhalgh, as acting chief executive.

The hospice also called in help from Bolton Hospice, appointed eight new trustees and an accountancy firm, Cowgill-Holloway, has taken charge of monitoring the hospice’s finances.

Financial safeguards are being put in place to ensure the hospice has a reserve of cash that would see it through for at least a year should turbulent times return.

A new chairman of the board is set to be recruited in the next few weeks and the board will then appoint a permanent chief executive.

A report summarising the investigation said: “A business plan and performance-monitoring framework has been produced to deliver required and desired improvements.

“The board has been meeting monthly and has received detailed action plans from key operational areas.

“A culture of openness and transparency has been encouraged, which has been shown to be appreciated by a recent staff survey.”

According to that survey, 97 per cent of staff said morale is significantly higher now compared with last year, “with the main reason described as changes in leadership”.

Former Bury Hospice trustee Paul Lavin, who stepped down last year in protest at management issues at the hospice, said: “I am pleased to hear such positive developments.

“Certainly, it is in line with what I am hearing from people I know who are still involved with the hospice.

“I am pleased to have played a role in bringing about this change, but regret that I am no longer involved with the board.”

Bury Clinical Commissioning group chief officer Stuart North said: “We have increased confidence in the leadership of the hospice and want the organisation to be a success in the future.

“The hospice now has an opportunity to move forward in a positive way and will continue to work with the management to ensure it continues to provide this vital service to local families.”

Bury Council chief executive Mike Owen said: “The council is pleased that a review has been undertaken on Bury Hospice and we are very satisfied with the outcome and we fully endorse the actions that fall from the review.

“Bury Hospice is a significant service and is valued by Bury people and the Council is happy that the Hospice is now in a position to move forward.

“The review findings give a clear platform for us to develop a closer working relationships with the hospice and working together with other partners we now look forward to seeing health and social care services coming together to maximise resources for patients experiencing life shortening illnesses."

MSB Solicitors declined to comment.