‘Strong leadership and a culture of continuous improvement’ has led a Wisbech hospice service to be rated outstanding.
The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre, which last year supported over 1,000 patients and their families, was rated outstanding in all five areas of an inspection by the Care Quality Commission.
The report states: “Staff were, without exception, kind, compassionate and caring. People, their relatives and external professionals could not praise the staff team highly enough.
“They gave numerous examples of occasions when they felt staff had ‘gone the extra mile’. People, their relatives and the staff valued the mutually respectful, supportive and genuine relationships they had with each other.
“The registered manager provided very strong leadership and the centre was exceptionally well-led.
“Staff worked within a culture of continuous improvement, which meant that they strove to find ways to improve on what was already an excellent service.”
Findings from patients included: “The warm, welcoming and relaxed atmosphere at the Centre provided people and their families with a safe haven at some of the most difficult times of their lives.
“People were made to feel comfortable and were provided with care and treatment by an exceptionally caring and supportive staff team”.
The centre, which is an Arthur Rank Hospice service based at North Cambs Hospital, delivers care and support free of charge at the day centre, five days a week and provides hospice at home, clinical advice and support for family and carers.
Matron Michelle Knight, who leads the team of staff and volunteers at the centre, said: “This is a fabulous accolade for the team; our programmes are tailored to meet the needs of each individual and we are delighted that we have received such wonderful comments.
“We must also recognise the part that Arthur Rank Hospice has played in this achievement: we are one of the many services run by the Hospice which serves the county of Cambridgeshire through its day centre here in Wisbech, the Hospice in South Cambridge and in people’s homes via the Arthur Rank Community Team. As part of the Arthur Rank Hospice team we have exceptionally high standards of care, expert experience behind us, and strong clinical scrutiny in all that we do”.
The release of the CQC report comes as The Alan Hudson Day Treatment Centre starts its expansion and redevelopment project. There will be an increased number of treatment rooms with specialist equipment, space for private consultation, room for Hospice at Home staff and services, therapy and diversional activity areas and a sensory garden.
To read a summary of the inspection, which took place in July 2017, visit arhc.org.uk/alan-hudson-day-treatment-centre.asp
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