Dorothy House Hospice Care, which provides specialist, palliative and end of life care, is celebrating this week after receiving an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Outstanding is the highest available rating and places Dorothy House in the top 6% of adult social care providers nationally.
It is awarded by the CQC to recognise ‘innovative and exceptional care.’ The Hospice was previously inspected in 2013.
The recent inspection in September and October 2016, included an unannounced three-day visit by four inspectors to Dorothy House Hospice Care in Winsley and its Outreach Centres in Trowbridge and Peasedown St John.
The inspectors assessed patients’ personal care records and talked to patients, carers, family members and staff as well as measuring the Hospice’s performance against five essential standards of quality; that it is safe, effective, caring, responsive and well-led.
Dorothy House provides specialist, palliative and end of life care across 700 square miles and serves a population of 550,000 people in B&NES and Somerset and Wiltshire.
Deborah Ivanova, Deputy Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, CQC said: “We found that Dorothy House Hospice Care is providing an outstanding and very caring service and the staff had the expertise to provide individualised care to the people they support in a way that suits them. The team there should be extremely proud of the work they do.”
“We were struck by the extent to which the Hospice placed people at the heart of everything it does to the point of even offering a befriending service, working with a local mental health trust to provide high quality end of life care for people with dementia and working to support children and young people facing bereavement.
“Dorothy House Hospice Care is an excellent role model and this is why this Hospice has received the highest rating we can give.”
John Davies, CEO at Dorothy House Hospice Care, said: “I am extremely proud of the team at Dorothy House and delighted that the CQC has recognised the Hospice’s standard of care as Outstanding.
“This result has been a collective effort as Dorothy House is well supported by our local Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCGs) and the RUH’s, Specialist Palliative Care Team among other partners.”
“Looking ahead to the future, my aim is continuously to improve our care standards and services for the community.
“My sincere thanks to all who have worked for or partnered with Dorothy House and to those who have donated funds. You’ve all played your part in making Dorothy House the success it is today.”