Hospice in the Weald receives ‘Good’ CQC rating with ‘Outstanding’ provision of Care

Hospice in the Weald in Pembury has been awarded an overall ‘Good’ rating by the CQC, with teams especially delighted to receive ‘Outstanding’ in the Caring category including for being ‘exceptional’ at promoting independence so individuals have choice and control over their own care. 

The Care Quality Commission is the independent body that inspects and regulates health and social care services across England. Its role is to ensure that care is safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led.

The Hospice’s care and support services for adults run from its Pembury location were praised by the CQC for the way “staff focused on what mattered most to people, supporting independence and giving people real choice and control, helping them to feel respected and valued.”

It also reflects the range of available care. Inspectors were told that “staff supported people to be cared for in their own homes in line with their wishes” while “exercise classes, pottery sessions and reflexology” were highly valued as part of the Living Well programme. Families also praised the Counselling service which “continued to support them through their grief” making a “meaningful difference.”

Nick Farthing, Hospice in the Weald’s Chief Executive, said: “We know that our workforce works tirelessly to deliver great care for our community, and this rating is well-deserved recognition of their dedication. I am tremendously proud of what our staff and volunteers have achieved and want to thank them for delivering high standards of care for our patients and families every single day.”

Along with recognising high-quality care, the CQC report highlights the need for the hospice environment to be improved, noting ‘the ward was in need of refurbishment’, with more suitable sinks and flooring needed and that while clean, the ward was recognised by Hospice leaders to be looking tired. Plans to address these aspects as part of a wider transformation of the Hospice’s Pembury building were already in place prior to the CQC inspection, and work is already well underway.