3 May 2017 Care

Kirkwood Hospice highly praised by Care Quality Commission

Kirkwood Hospice has been given an excellent score for the quality of care it provides by healthcare inspectors. 

The Care Quality Commission (CQC), made an unannounced visit to the Hospice in September last year, awarding an overall ‘Good’ rating, whilst singling out the care we provide as ‘Outstanding’.

In the report, inspectors described Kirkwood’s service as having “a strong visible, person-centred culture”.

It also praised staff, who it says are “highly motivated and inspired to offer care that is kind and compassionate”.

Kirkwood Hospice Complementary Therapy.

 

As part of their investigation, CQC inspectors spoke with patients and families, who were keen to highlight their experiences. 

One patient commented: “I felt safe as soon as I came to the Hospice.” Another said: “The staff are kind. I’ve been given my personality back.”

Kirkwood Chief Executive, Michael Crowther, said: “This latest report from CQC is another positive endorsement that the care we provide for people across Kirklees is very high quality.

“At Kirkwood, our priority is to provide care that focusses on the individual and those close to them. We help people to live the best quality of life they can through excellent advice, support and personalised care.

“As we enter our 30th year of providing specialist care in Kirklees, the report also helps our plans to further develop our services and continue to improve what we offer to people. 

“We remain determined to reach out to more people in Kirklees who could benefit from the outstanding care that is provided at Kirkwood.”

"Everyone at Kirkwood goes above and beyond to meet people's needs." Sarah Shaw

Sarah Shaw, Kirkwood’s Director of Clinical Services, was keen to praise the efforts of the Hospice team.

She said: “To receive such a positive report from the CQC is a testament to the hard work of our team of employees and volunteers, who work tirelessly to improve the experience of our patients and those close to them. Everyone at Kirkwood goes above and beyond to meet people’s needs.

“The biggest endorsement we can receive is from those who experience our care first-hand and the positive comments received in the CQC report from both patients and families show that we are supporting people in the right way, whether here at the Hospice or out in the community."

 

What CQC inspectors said about Kirkwood:

“People who used the service told us that staff were excellent, showed compassion and went the extra mile to involve them in decision making and to support them with their end of life wishes.”
                     
“The culture of the organisation was open and transparent and the registered manager was visible in the service.”

“A range of activities were planned for people. Friends and family were welcomed to the service any time.”

“People were supported to access health professionals as the need arose.”

“The service was very involved in the wider community.”

“People who used the service told us that staff were excellent, showed compassion and went the extra mile to involve them in decision making and to support them with their end of life wishes.” CQC

To view the CQC report in full, please click here.