Care Quality Commission
The Care Quality Commission (or CQC) is the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England. Their job is to make sure that care provided by hospitals, dentists, ambulances, care homes and services in people’s own homes and elsewhere meets government standards of quality and safety.
The government standards that the CQC monitor cover all aspects of care, including:
- Treating people with dignity and respect
- Making sure food and drink meets people’s needs
- Making sure that that the environment is clean and safe
- Managing and staffing services
They register care services that meet the standards, inspect them to check that they continue to do so, and take action when they don’t.
Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, Cumbria’s Children’s Hospice has been praised by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an unannounced inspection. The CQC, which regulates the standards of all health and social care services in England, published its report in early July 2016 following an inspection in May.
The inspection found the hospice was compliant across all areas and awarded the charity an overall Good rating – consistent across all areas of inspection.
During its review the CQC spoke to children, adults and families who use Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw to seek their feedback on the services provided. The report said, “We were told “I trust them all, the nurses, carers, cleaners, cooks, they are all great” and “From the first day I came here I had confidence in them [staff], they are so calm and professional”.”
The report continued, “People and relatives were entirely positive about the care provided by the hospice and how much they valued the services offered. People spoke of the friendliness, approachability and empathy of staff and of “welcoming smiles and warmth”. A survey comment said “I feel loved here” and another that “You [hospice staff] remember my unique story”. Everyone we spoke with commented upon the caring approach of staff and being treated with “dignity” and “respect” and “compassion”.”
Gill Ward, Head of Care at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw, said “We are all working towards one goal which is to provide the very best palliative and end-of-life care to our patients and their families. Our clinical teams and the staff that support them are dedicated and work incredibly hard to provide this high level of care”.
“Service improvement is always a priority at Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw and we will continue to review and develop practice, knowledge and skills to ensure patients and families receive the best care possible. We have a real passion for our work and we are all very pleased to have received a strong CQC report, which reinforces the quality of care we give and recognise the efforts of the staff to provide that care to all our patients and their families.”
If you would like to share your experience of Eden Valley Hospice and Jigsaw with the Care Quality Commission please click here.