‘Brilliant news’, ‘proud’ and ‘fantastic achievement’ are just some of the words used by staff at St Elizabeth Hospice in reaction to the Care Quality Commission awarding the hospice an ‘Outstanding’ rating.
The report follows an unannounced inspection in October which saw the hospice retain its ‘Outstanding’ rating, achieved during an inspection in 2016, while also adding a third ‘Outstanding’ star to its overall rating.
Published on the Care Quality Commission website, the report described the hospice as having ‘a strong, visible, person-centred culture’ and that ‘staff went out of their way to support patients in the community, particularly at the start of the pandemic, including in their own time.’
Verity Jolly, Director of Patient Services at St Elizabeth Hospice, said: “We are so proud of this achievement as it is fantastic recognition of the hard work all hospice staff put in.
“Placing patients and their families at the centre of all we do and ensuring we provide the best support to those under our care is something all our staff are committed to.
“It is this shared ambition which motivates us all each day but to receive such comments from the Care Quality Commission is very special, especially after the difficult year or so brought by the pandemic.”
Every year over 3,000 patients and their families receive care from St Elizabeth Hospice throughout East Suffolk, Great Yarmouth and Waveney. The hospice’s services improve life for people living with a progressive or life-limiting illness, with the care centred on an individual’s needs whenever and wherever it is needed, whether at home, in the community or at the hospice.
The report includes some key highlights including hospice leaders demonstrating high levels of experience, capacity and capability, while also being visible and approachable for patients and staff alike.
Feedback from patients and families was described as ‘consistently positive’ with services ‘tailored to meet patients’ individual needs and wishes.’ The report also found the hospice’s new bereavement support service, LivingGrief, to be an important service. With service users explaining they ‘felt less alone in their grief’ and ‘felt better informed about the grieving process.’
Judi Newman, Chief Executive Officer at the hospice, added: “This is a fantastic achievement and I would like to say a big ‘thank you’ to all our staff and volunteers for their dedicated work in providing the highest standards of compassionate care to those in our community in need of our services.
“It is a brilliant news to end a rollercoaster year and all of the hospice team should be proud of this report.”
Ed Garratt, Executive Lead of the Suffolk and North East Essex Integrated Care System, said: “This is a fantastic achievement by all staff and volunteers at St Elizabeth Hospice and I – on behalf of the wider health and care system – would like to pass on my congratulations.
“This recognition is testament to the hard work, quality service and support they all provide to patients and their families on a daily basis.
“The response the hospice has provided to local health and care services especially with the pandemic has been invaluable and we all remain extremely grateful.”