‘Outstanding’ new inspection report for Marie Curie Hospice Bradford

Marie Curie Hospice Bradford and its Yorkshire Community Services has been rated 'Outstanding' in a report published on March 22 by The Care Quality Commission.
As the UK's leading end of life charity, Marie Curie provides care and support for anyone with an illness they're likely to die from and the inspection, which was carried out over two days in January, examined all of the Bradford hospice's services as well as the charity's community-based services across Yorkshire.
It rated the services as "Outstanding" overall - the highest possible award – with "Outstanding" ratings for both its leadership and how responsive staff were to both the individual needs of patients and that of the wider community.
The report noted: "People are truly respected and valued as individuals and are empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by an exceptional and distinctive service."
Sue Hogston, Marie Curie's Head of Nursing and Quality for Yorkshire, said:
"We're delighted with the report and it cements what we passionately believe – that Marie Curie Hospice Bradford and its community services are a real jewel in the crown for the people of Bradford and Yorkshire.
"We're particularly pleased that the report shined a light on how our staff go above and beyond in responding to individual patients needs, while consistently delivering expert palliative care both in the hospice and in patients' own homes."
The report rated the services as "good" in the areas of safe, effective and caring, and had special praise for how services were flexible in catering for individuals and those important to them.
The report states that: "Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs and helped them understand their conditions. People who used the service were active partners in their care."
It also highlighted examples of staff 'going the extra mile', including an example where staff had approached the local theatre to secure a signed programme from pantomime cast members for an inpatient who'd expressed a love of theatre and pantomime.
The report highlighted how all staff, including admin, kitchen and housekeeping team members worked together to meet patients' needs, saying all staff "...had a clear understanding of each other's roles, ... Staff told us that each profession and staff group was equally respected within the team."
It also noted the holistic approach to care: "The importance on bereavement counselling was prevalent within the service. Staff understood the emotional and social impact that a person's care, treatment or condition had on their wellbeing and on those close to them."
The inspector had special praise for the leadership, management, and governance of the charity, saying they help to deliver "...high quality and person-centred care, supported learning and innovation, promoting an open and fair culture".
It adds: "Staff understood the service's vision and values both at local and corporate level and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported, and valued."
The range of services reviewed as part of this inspection included the hospice in Maudsley Street, Marie Curie's planned hospice care at home services, its urgent care services, and its REACT service. The REACT service is unique to Bradford, and involves Marie Curie clinical staff working closely with Bradford Royal Infirmary to support people with terminal illness and reduce the number of days they spend in hospital in the last year of life.
For more information about any of Marie Curie's services, visit www.mariecurie.org.uk. For practical and emotional help on all matters concerning end of life or bereavement, call the free Marie Curie Support Line 0800 090 2309.
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Notes to editor:
For further information please contact Senior Media and PR Officer Matt Cornish on matt.cornish@mariecurie.org.uk, 07939 486255 or contact the Marie Curie Press Office: media@mariecurie.org.uk / 0845 073 8699.
Please note, Marie Curie is not a cancer charity but the UK's leading 'end of life charity'. We care for people with - any illness they are likely to die from including Alzheimer's (and other forms of dementia), heart, liver, kidney and lung disease, motor neurone disease, Parkinson's, and advanced cancer.
About Marie Curie
• Marie Curie is the UK's leading end of life charity.
• The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live.  It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. Whatever the illness, we're with you to the end.
• If you're living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
Whatever the illness, wherever you are, Marie Curie is with you to the end.