Haven wins praise after watchdog’s inspection
HALTON Haven in Runcorn is celebrating after being awarded a ‘ good’ rating overall with ‘outstanding’ in one category by the care regulator.
The Care Quality Commission praised the hospice across the board after it carried out an unannounced inspection over three days in March and involved visiting the premises and speaking to staff, patients and relatives.
In its report, the CQC highlighted areas of ‘outstanding’ practice such as the ‘positive and caring’ ethos and support for patients and families including the ‘men’s shed’ initiative and also its work with Halton homelessness charity Nightstop.
It added that patients had said the standard of service was ‘ exceptional’ and ‘outstanding’.
The inspector reported that Halton Haven’s manager Viv Culleton had been ‘open and transparent’ during the visit.
Minor complaints had been dealt with ‘promptly’, the findings added.
Halton Haven provides end-of-life and palliative care and has a 12-bed inpatient unit.
Despite the glowing report, the hospice missed out an overall top grade of ‘outstanding’.
Viv Culleton, manager, said: “Obviously it would have been lovely to receive an outstanding overall, but given how stringent CQC inspections now are under their new guidelines for inspections I am delighted with the outcome. The inspection was as you know unannounced, this makes the overall rating with the inclusion of an outstanding an achievement we are all very proud of.
“The hospice is especially proud that we achieved an outstanding in a domain that focuses on how responsive we are, the people of Halton are so generous in supporting the sustainability of the hospice and it is gratifying to be able to evidence their care and care needs are of paramount importance and acted upon.”
The inspection report provided patient feedback.
It said: “We saw survey forms that had been completed.
“Patients’ testimonies included ‘anything big or small they will do it for you’ and ‘all staff are wonderful from the cleaning staff, office staff right through to the carers and nurses. They are marvellous.’
“A relative said, ‘There are no adequate words to describe how exceptional all the staff are in this place, they are all earth angels.’”
They added: “Patients, relatives and staff felt that the hospice was very well managed.
“We found that all the staff team were well led and highly motivated to provide quality individual person-centred care and all spoken with said they felt proud to work at Halton Haven Hospice.”