Bury St Edmunds’ St Nicholas Hospice Care is rated ‘outstanding’ by watchdogs

Bury St Edmunds’ St Nicholas Hospice Care has scooped an ‘outstanding’ rating from the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors judged that the hospice, in Hardwick Lane, is ‘truly focussed on the individual needs of people that they support’ and noted that ‘staff truly went the extra mile’ to care for patients and their families.

It follows an unannounced inspection on April 19 and 20 and the report was published on Monday - just days after West Suffolk Hospital’s ‘good’ rating by the CQC.

The report highlighted how people spoke ‘overwhelmingly of the positive support, guidance and healthcare interventions they received’.

They were also ‘full of praise of the staff in terms of their kindness, compassion and knowledge about end of life matters’.

Meanwhile, people told inspectors about a ‘service that was tailor-made for them and their families - saying that staff truly went the extra mile to offer understanding, empathy and choices that were based upon information and keeping people informed and involved’.

The CQC found that management were ‘inclusive and promoted a culture of excellence’.

Barbara Gale, hospice chief executive, said: “We’re proud that our staff and volunteers have been acknowledged for their excellence.

“At St Nicholas Hospice Care we believe everyone deserves outstanding care and that it should be available whatever a person’s needs are and wherever they call home.

“We will continue to do our best as well as share our knowledge with care homes, hospitals and prisons so outstanding care can reach more people.”

As well as its overall rating, the hospice was judged ‘outstanding’ in its care and service leadership. It was rated ‘good’ in areas of safety, responsiveness and effectiveness.