'˜Outstanding' rating for St John's Hospice

St John's Hospice is outstanding and it's official.
Trekkers who walked the Great Wall of China for St Johns Hospice earlier this year. The hospice has been rated outstanding by a health watchdog. Picture by Andy Cruxton.Trekkers who walked the Great Wall of China for St Johns Hospice earlier this year. The hospice has been rated outstanding by a health watchdog. Picture by Andy Cruxton.
Trekkers who walked the Great Wall of China for St Johns Hospice earlier this year. The hospice has been rated outstanding by a health watchdog. Picture by Andy Cruxton.

The Lancaster hospice has been given the ‘outstanding’ rating - the highest possible - by health and social care watchdogs the Care Quality Commission.

An inspection report issued by the independent regulator of health and adult social care in England put the hospice in the top 1% of care organisations in the country.

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The Slyne Road centre was rated outstanding in three of the five inspection areas; for being caring, well-led and responsive, and was judged “good” for being safe and effective.

A team of inspectors visited the hospice in July to look at evidence of best practice, robust policies and care standards, whilst also reviewing testimonies from patients and loved ones across its services.

“We saw a service where the care is exceptional, responsive to people’s needs, and really puts people using it at the heart of everything they do,” said Debbie Westhead, deputy chief inspector of Adult Social Care in the North.

“Without exception, people and their relatives spoke extremely highly of staff and their experiences of care at St John’s Hospice. We saw that end of life care plans were very detailed and were not only making a difference to the people using the service, but also their relatives.

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“It was impressive to see how well-led St John’s Hospice was. The whole team should be very proud of the service they are providing.”

Sue McGraw, CEO of St John’s Hospice, said: “I am absolutely delighted by the findings of the CQC report. The outstanding grade is testament to the hard work, professionalism and investment that our dedicated team of staff and army of volunteers put into supporting patients and their loved ones affected by a life-shortening illness. Of course, we can’t do this without the continued support of our community and I’d like to thank everyone who has supported us over the years, whether by volunteering with us, participating in our fundraising events, remembering us in their will or donating or buying goods in our hospice shops.”

Chistine Heginbotham, chair of the hospice’s trustees, said it was “wonderful to see the team’s commitment and compassion recognised”.

The hospice, which cares for people with cancer and other life limiting illnesses, is celebrating its 30th anniversary in 2016.

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St John’s will host a New Year, New Start recruitment day on Friday, January 20 2017 between 2pm and 4pm. The day is aimed at those with a clinical and non-clinical background, especially doctors and registered nurses.