St Clare Hospice has been awarded the highest rating of “outstanding” by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
During an unannounced visit in December from the health and social care regulator, inspectors spoke to 18 staff members at the hospice, which provides care to people across West Essex and East Hertfordshire. This included nurses, health care assistants, reception staff, medical staff, two patients and one relative. The inspectors also reviewed the organisation’s records and procedures.
In their report the CQC praised the “outstanding care” staff provided to patients, saying they “always treated them with compassion and kindness and respecting their privacy and dignity”; the innovative care planned to meet the needs of local people; and the commitment, by all staff, to continually improving services.
The author of the report, Deputy Chief Inspector of Hospitals, Heidi Smoult, praised the “strong visible patient-centred culture” saying that, “all staff we spoke with told us that … they were proud to work for the hospice” whilst patients and family members said staff “went beyond what was expected when providing care and support.”
She added: “People who use services are active partners in their care. Staff are fully committed to working in partnership with people and making this a reality for each person. Staff always empower people who use the service to have a voice and to realise their potential. They show determination and creativity to overcome obstacles to delivering care.
The “outstanding” grade is an improved rating since the hospice’s last inspection, which took place in October 2016 when they were rated “good” overall.
Commenting on the CQC result, Carolanne Brannan, St Clare Hospice’s Director of Patient Care, said: “The people and families we serve are at the centre of everything we do at St Clare, and to be recognised as “outstanding” by the national regulator is testament to the dedication, hard work, care and compassion of everyone who works and volunteers with us.”
“In the difficult times that we are all working in at the moment, we are delighted to be able to share some good news with our community. We will, of course, endeavour to continue to provide our patients with outstanding care over the coming weeks and months.”
“We are extremely proud to have been recognised for our outstanding care, and to achieve this in the same year as our 30th birthday feels very fitting. When we were founded in 1990 our vision was to provide the best care for people at the end of their life, and this inspection shows that this vision is still being fulfilled today.”
For more information visit St Clare Hospice
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