Good report for hospice

St Andrew’s Hospice has welcomed an inspection report from regulator Healthcare Improvement Scotland (HIS), which saw the Airdrie healthcare facility receive“good”grades in all three assessment categories.

Two inspectors made an unannounced visit to the Henderson Street hospice in January, speaking to patients, families and staff, carrying out an online survey and analysing areas including the hospice’s plans, paperwork and environment.

Chief executive Joy Farquharson is “delighted”with the outcome, saying:“all our staff work hard and continuously aim to ensure we provide a very high standard of care to the patients we look after and support their families wherever possible.”

Inspectors rated the hospice, which provides palliative and end-of-life care for patients from across Lanarkshire,“good”in the three categories of direction and leadership; implementation and delivery including performance and engagement with stakeholders; and results including person-centred care.

Their report noted:“patients and families said they felt fully supported [and] staff told us they enjoyed working in the service”; and added that the hospice has“a clear vision and purpose”with a three-year plan, plus“effective processes and procedures [which] support the safe delivery of care”.

It added that feedback from staff and patients is used to contribute to improvements, such as involving them in the recent refurbishment of the outpatient department as well as having a busy public engagement group.

Staff told how senior managers were approachable and inspectors noted that they took part in regular walkround observations; while HIS asked that they explore increasing this following responses to the online survey.

Inspectors imposed a requirement to review and update risk assessments, and made recommendations on the recording of consents for treatment and information sharing, and on the use of specific cleaning products. They also noted the“positive relationship”between NHS Lanarkshire and the hospice, which currently has 18 in-patient beds.

St Andrew’s is overseen by HIS as an independent care provider, with the regulator focusing on ensuring services are“person-centred, safe and well led”; and Ms Farquharson added:“this excellent report is only possible due to the commitment of all the team.”