A HOSPICE took on a new matron but quickly changed the job title as the person appointed to the traditionally female role is a man.

After inviting Jimmy Brash, 44, to take up the post, bosses at St Catherine's Hospice in Preston which cares for cancer patients, had to think on their feet and find a suitable job title.

The post is now 'head of care' much to Jimmy's relief. One of the dictionary definitions of matron is 'a woman in charge of the domestic or medical arrangements in an institution.'

Jimmy, of Heather Lea, Leyland, said: "I don't think that really fits. I'm really glad they changed it."

The former Macmillan nurse at the Royal Preston and Chorley hospitals will be responsible for managing the in-patient services, family support, chaplaincy and nurses at St Catherine's.

He said: "What we really would like people to understand is that we try to help people go on living their lives.

"In days gone by people used to come to hospices and spend their last days there. We are not about that.

"We offer specialist medical care for our in-patients to help them get better and manage their lives."

St Catherine's has 18 beds and also has up to 20 places for day patients who can come to socialise and take part in the art therapy. It also offers some respite for their carers.

Jimmy is responsible for admissions. He said: "It's not easy with a population of 330,000 and only 18 beds, we have to be very fair. I'll also be spending time on the wards with patients."

Jimmy trained at Royal Liverpool Hospital as a nurse and has worked at various hospitals in the north-west specialising in renal medicine and haematology.

He has a history of advising cancer patients from his time as a Macmillan nurse and has also taught on the subject of cancer care.