Sue Ryder has welcomed news that the Care Quality Commission (CQC) has upgraded its care rating for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice. This follows the charity’s request for a review of the rating, based on a combination of inaccurate and unbalanced findings.
Chief Executive Officer, James Sanderson, shared, “We are pleased that the CQC has confirmed there was an error in their scoring process for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.”
The CQC rated Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice ‘Inadequate’ in 2025. However, following its ratings review and a further visit to the hospice in July, the CQC has apologised for the error, and the Leeds-based Sue Ryder hospice’s rating has now been upgraded to ‘Requires Improvement’.
Sanderson shared, “We are pleased that this matter has now been resolved. The amended rating reflects what we had identified and were actively addressing following our own quality reviews and safety controls, before the CQC inspection took place.
“Our internal findings had already led to an improvement plan being introduced, which our care teams have carried on working relentlessly to deliver.”
Sanderson added, “The incorrect rating has caused distress to the patients we care for, their families, our clinical teams, the healthcare professionals we work alongside, our supporters and volunteers too.
“I want to thank our supporters for continuing to believe in us throughout this period, which has been really appreciated by our teams at the hospice. I also want to thank our clinical teams for the huge amount of professionalism and dedication they have shown throughout this difficult time.
“While we are pleased with the outcome of the CQC rating review, we recognise that further improvements are needed and are already underway. Our teams remain focused on delivering the established improvement plan with professionalism and commitment.
“We have had a strong working relationship with the CQC for many years, and we are grateful for the time they have taken to review this matter. I hope this brings closure and clarity to everyone.
“Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice is now focused on moving forward, restoring confidence, and working with the CQC and our partners to continue our vital work caring for the people of Leeds.”
For more information on Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice, visit sueryder.org/wheatfields
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About Sue Ryder:
At Sue Ryder, we can’t make life’s most difficult moments easy, but we can carry some of the load. For more than 70 years, we have been a source of strength and support for anyone living with a life-limiting illness or grief.
Dying and grief are universal experiences, but too many people face them alone. We are a safe and reassuring hand you can reach for. From providing care and support for someone at the end of their life to helping someone manage their grief, we know there is no one size fits all when it comes to how we cope and the help we need. We campaign for everyone who is approaching the end of their life or grieving to have access to the right support, at the right time. And we seek to break down the barriers to talking about dying and grief – so we can all be better prepared and better equipped to be there for each other.
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