A hospice in Stockton is starting the new year on a “fantastic” note after inspectors lifted its rating from inadequate to good.
The Care Quality Commission (CQC) found significant improvements at Butterwick Hospice following an inspection in May. As well as the overall grade, standards for safety, effectiveness, responsiveness and leadership have also risen to a good rating.
A director of the CQC said management had responded “positively” to the previous concerns raised, and relatives of patients described the care as of the “highest standard”. The CEO of the hospice said they were delighted with the report, which he said reflected all the hard work of staff and partners.
The report said the hospice now ensures systems are in place to assess, monitor and mitigate any risks relating to the health, safety and welfare of patients. Improvement in overall governance was also noted, along with “effective” partnership working with the North Tees and Hartlepool NHS trust.
“We saw that patients felt supported by staff and involved them in their care and treatment,” said the report. “Managers supported staff and appropriate processes were in place to ensure they had oversight of the service.”
Victoria Marsden, CQC deputy director of operations in the north, said: “We found the service had made significant improvements since our last inspection with the registered manager responding positively to the concerns raised and conditions we imposed to focus their attention on specific improvements. People told us they now felt safe, and that staff were attentive, welcoming, and supported them to be as independent as possible.
“An effective partnership with the local NHS trust was in place, and senior leaders from the hospice told us that they were active members of Hospices North East and Cumbria, a collective group working towards achieving excellence. The service had clearly benefited from the shared knowledge and skills this partnership brought, improving people’s experiences as a result.
“Staff treated people with kindness and respect whilst demonstrating effective communication skills. Unprompted feedback from relatives described care as being of the highest standard and that it enabled people to have a dignified end.
“Everyone at Butterwick Hospice should be proud of their efforts to improve the service. We have shared our findings with them so they can continue to build on their progress.”
Butterwick Hospice provides end of life care for adults living in the Stockton Council area. It was set up in 1984 by Mary Butterwick, who put all her savings into buying a crumbling property on Hartburn Lane, in Stockton, to create the John Butterwick Day Care Centre.
CEO of the hospice, Edward Gorringe welcomed the updated rating. “It’s excellent news and reflects a lot of hard work that has gone into regaining the good rating,” he said. “
“It also reflects the partnership with North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Trust. It’s a fantastic way the start the new year and we are delighted to have received this rating.”
Inspectors found staff were “visible and available” on the ward and service users found them to be “helpful and approachable”. Patients were provided with appropriate equipment for their needs, such as airflow mattresses and routine monitoring for positioning to prevent pressure sores.
“The service controlled infection risk well and the equipment and the premises were visibly clean,” said the report. “Staff used equipment and control measures to protect people using the service, themselves and others from infection.
“All staff had opportunities to learn, and poor performance was managed appropriately. The service had enough nursing, allied healthcare professional and support staff to keep patients safe, the report said.
Volunteers did not always receive the correct level of safeguarding training, said the report. However, it added that the hospice took immediate action to arrange training following the assessment. The full report will be published on CQC’s website in the next few days.
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