Most Hospices Are ‘Good’ Or Better, Says CQC
Hospices in England are caring for and supporting people in a compassionate way at the end of their lives, according to the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Ahead of this year’s World Hospice and Palliative Care Day (Saturday 10 October), the regulator’s latest ratings data shows that over 90% (34 out of 37 hospices) inspected so far have been judged to be providing Outstanding or Good care.
These ratings also mark one year on since CQC introduced its more rigorous and expert-led approach that assesses hospices across England on whether they are safe, caring, effective, responsive to people’s needs and well-led.
The new approach includes publishing reports that rate hospices, including when this support is provided in people’s homes, as Outstanding, Good, Requires Improvement or Inadequate to help members of the public make more informed choices about their care, shine a spotlight on the action being taken to drive up poor care, and to celebrate success.
CQC’s Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, Andrea Sutcliffe, said: “I know from what my inspectors are finding and from what my own friends and family have told me, hospices provide amazing care and support for people at the end of their lives. What better day to celebrate and mark this than World Hospice and Palliative Care Day.
“It is very encouraging that over 90% of hospices are proving to be Good or Outstanding so far. This is just what we should expect and what people certainly deserve at the end of their lives.
“Success starts with strong leaders who motivate, value and support skilled staff to go the extra mile in sensitively caring for every single person as an individual.
“I encourage people to take the time to read through our latest reports to see how great care can be done.”
Jonathan Ellis, Director of Policy and Advocacy at Hospice UK, said: “Hospices are special places carrying out vital work so we are extremely pleased to see that the vast majority of those inspected have been rated either outstanding or good. It’s a testament to the dedication and expertise of the staff and volunteers who provide hospice care across the country.
“Hospice UK worked closely with the CQC to make sure that hospice service inspections acknowledged their special role in the community and we are so proud to see this system reflect the great care that they make available to dying people and their loved ones.
“Our country’s hospice movement is one of the major reasons that the UK is ranked as the best in the world in meeting palliative care needs but we must not be complacent.;Hospices have a great deal to offer, and are working increasingly closely with hospitals, care homes and other social care services to ensure people receive the best quality of care at the end of life, wherever they might be.”
