The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has rated St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice in Taunton as outstanding for a second time, following an inspection in July.
St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice provides support for adults with life-shortening conditions as well as their families.
The inspection was carried out as part of CQC’s continual checks on the safety and quality of healthcare services.
Following the inspection, the service has been again rated outstanding overall, as well as for being effective, caring, responsive and well-led. The rating for safe has increased from good to outstanding.
Catherine Campbell, CQC deputy director of operations in the south said:
“We found staff at St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice provided exceptional care and treatment which prioritised people’s safety, comfort and individual needs. People praised staff kindness and told CQC they felt involved in their care planning, alongside their loved ones, and appreciated the support offered to them.
“The service proactively planned and provided care in a way which met the needs of local people. For example, they offered translation services and reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities, and staff were knowledgeable about the support available.
“Leaders fostered a positive work environment which emphasised learning, collaborative working, and innovation. It was impressive to see the service reach outside of their own day-to-day work on an improvement project with the local NHS trust and other partners ensuring end-of-life care maximised the time people had, doing what was important to them, in the place they wanted to be.
“The service offered a private suite for people and their families to spend quality time together. It offered a space away from the clinical environment which could provide onsite accommodation for families who lived further away. In one instance someone’s partner was a chef and they used the suite to cook and eat a meal together.
“Everyone at the service should be extremely proud of the high-quality care they’re providing to people and their loved ones. Other providers should look at this report to see if there’s anything they can learn.”