Bolton Hospice has been praised for its 'compassion and kindness' towards its patients and for always taking account of their individual needs.
The health watchdog, Care Quality Commission (CQC) found the service it provides to be rated 'good' overall.
The inspection found that Bolton Hospice’s services to be rated good across all five designated areas, deeming them to be safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well led.
The report stated: "Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions.
"They provided emotional support to patients, families, and carers."
Interviews with staff found that the majority felt they were “respected, supported and valued” while leaders “operated effective governance processes.”
The inspectors also looked at surveys the hospice had carried with the loved ones of patients who had died while under their care which yielded glowing responses.
The report said: “Patients’ families and loved ones gave positive feedback about the service.
“The hospice provided us with their ‘end of life survey of relatives satisfaction questionnaire’ data from the inpatient unit and the hospice at home service between April and September 2023.
“From 44 questionnaires being sent out for the hospice at home service, five were completed and on average 80 per cent were happy with the care.
“The inpatient unit had a higher completion rate, 44 per cent of questionnaires sent to families following a loved one dying had been completed.
“Almost every question was answered positively.”
Bolton Hospice CEO, Leigh Vallance, said, “We’re delighted to have received a ‘good’ rating in all areas in our recent CQC report for the vital care we provide to our patients, families and carers.
"It is a testament to our incredible team at the hospice who consistently demonstrate their commitment and dedication to providing the very best hospice care for our community.
"Feedback from patients and families was continually positive about our services and it’s wonderful that the report shines a light on how our team always treats patients with compassion and kindness, as well as involving patients in their own care and responding to individual needs, a principle at the heart of the specialist care and support we provide.
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"I’m extremely proud of our team here at Bolton Hospice, including our amazing volunteers, and not forgetting our local community who have helped to fund nearly 80 per cent of our running costs throughout a challenging year.
"None of it would be possible without your support, thank you!”
Cllr Andy Morgan, hospice volunteer and trustee since 2010, said: “It’s an absolute credit to our staff that we have retained our rating, and it indicates that our services are performing well and that people using them can expect to receive high-quality care, which is great news.
“Like all health and social care providers the hospice had to endure the pandemic and all the challenges that brought, along with staff recruitment issues over the past few years, but they got through it, and they maintained and improved their services which is because of the dedication and effort of all involved.”
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