Care Quality Commission rates Hospice in the Weald Outstanding

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated the care provided at Hospice in the Weald as Outstanding overall, following an inspection in July 2016.

Inspectors rated Hospice in the Weald in Tunbridge Wells, Outstanding for being caring and responsive to people’s needs and Good for being safe, effective and well-led.

Hospice in the Weald is a local charity covering a catchment area in West Kent and East Sussex that provide end of life care, advice and clinical support for adults with life limiting illnesses.

A full report of the inspection has been published today at: https://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-116528936

Deborah Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said:

“Hospice in the Weald delivered an exceptional level of care. The people we spoke to told us how they positively appreciated the service and the way it was delivered.

“The provider made sure people received personalised care that met their needs and interests. This was delivered by staff who had skills and knowledge to provide high quality care. Both the provider and staff should feel proud of the work they do and of the outstanding support they provide.

“People should always be cared for by services that are safe, effective, caring, responsive to their needs and well-led. Our inspectors’ full findings are detailed in our published report which demonstrates how remarkable care can be achieved.”

The report highlights a number of areas of outstanding practice, including:

•Staff respected and were empathetic to people views, preferences and wishes in the planning of care, and end of life care. People were supported at the end of their life to have a comfortable, dignified and pain free death.
•The service provided a responsive, caring and friendly service where staff were attentive to people’s needs including their emotional state.
•Social activities were innovative and met people’s individual needs.
•A pioneering project ‘cottage hospice care’ provided care to people in the local community.
•Visitors were welcome at any time and both people and relatives were able to find comfort in routines and familiarity.
•Spiritual needs and chaplaincy support was available to those of faith and to all those who visited for reflection, to remember their loved ones or for comfort in the company of others.
•Practices regarding the administration of medicines were followed and people could be confident that staff followed a robust monitoring process for their medicines.

For further information please contact CQC Regional Engagement Officer Farrah Chandra on 07917 594 574 or, for media enquiries, call the press office on 020 7448 9401 during office hours.  Journalists wishing to speak to the press office outside of office hours can find out how to contact the team here http://www.cqc.org.uk/media/our-media-office (Please note: the duty press officer is unable to advise members of the public on health or social care matters). For general enquiries, please call 03000 61 61 61