The Care Quality Commission have awarded an outstanding rating to Mary Stevens Hospice. Inspectors paid an unannounced visit to the Hospice in February, where they assessed patients’ experiences of care and treatment by rating services based on five questions: are they safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs, and well-led?
The Mary Stevens Hospice which is well known throughout the borough for providing palliative and end of life care for people living with life limiting illnesses is one of just a small number of hospices to be rated as Outstanding.
Among the findings, the report says that “people told us staff were very caring, kind and receptive to their needs. People’s independence was encouraged, and their privacy and dignity protected” and “staff worked hard to provide lasting and memorable experiences for people and their family members so that they experienced compassionate care.”
The report also found that “staff knew each person well and understood how to support them when they were unwell or approached the end of their life. People were at the heart of the service and fully involved in the planning and review of their care.”
The CQC inspectors praised the senior management, saying “leadership was strong and consistently looked at ways to promote the provision of palliative and end of life care for people. There was a clear management structure with good communication so that everyone, including the trustees, shared the same vision and plans for the future.”
Claire Towns, CEO said:
“To receive the news that we have had achieved Outstanding for our hospice service is a real accolade. This result is reflective of the hard work and dedication of the whole Hospice team. Care, compassion and kindness are at the heart of everything we do at the Hospice and this has been reflected throughout the whole report. I am immensely proud to be leading such an outstanding team. Throughout my nursing career the team at the Hospice are simply the best I have ever had the privilege to work with. This achievement is not only good news for the Hospice but also for the community that we are here to serve.”
The full CQC report can be accessed at https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-101634329