Barnsley Hospice is an independent registered charity. It provides a 10 bedded in patient unit,day care and out patient services for people with a life-limiting illness. Referral to use the service is generally made by a doctor or specialist nurse. No direct charge is made to people using these services. Care is provided to people over 18 years of age who are resident in the borough of Barnsley.

Barnsley Hospice also offers treatment for patients suffering from cancer and non-cancer related oedema. The service is also available to those who have had cancer in the past. There are three Lymphoedema Practitioners who can see patients in their home, hospital or the clinic based at the hospice. (Lymphoedema is a chronic (long-term) condition that causes swelling in the body's tissues). Individual plans are created to include some of the following: skin care, exercise, massage and compression. The key element of this service is to enable patients to successfully manage Lymphoedema on a day-to-day basis.

Barnsley Hospice also provides a day service at The Limes support and therapy centre. The Limes is open Tuesday to Friday. The day service is designed to help patients adapt to the limitations caused by serious illness. Each patient is assessed individually and support is also available to their families and those close to them. The day service offers support and advice with symptom management and treatment. People benefit from socialising with people who are going through similar experiences. Refreshments and a meal are provided free of charge. Transport can be arranged if necessary. The care team providing support at the centre include registered nurses, an activity coordinator, doctors, complementary therapists and volunteers. If required there is access to a social worker, counselling service and spiritual support.

Barnsley Hospice has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run.

Day-to-day operation of the hospice is delegated by the Board of Trustees to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO). The CEO discharges responsibilities through the Hospice Executive Team, comprising of the Patient Services Director, Consultant Clinical Lead , Support Services Director and Finance Director. The registered manager is also the CEO.

Hospice Practitioners provide medical cover together with four part time consultants in Palliative medicine.

24 hour cover by the medical team is provided. There is a system called ‘Pall Call’ in place at the hospice. ‘Pall Call’ is a specialist palliative care telephone advice line for health care professionals and is open 24 hours seven days a week. It is also available for patients and carers to call.

Our last inspection at Barnsley Hospice took place in November 2013. Barnsley Hospice was found to be meeting the requirements of the regulations we inspected at that time.

This inspection took place on 1 August 2016 and was unannounced. This meant staff at the hospice did not know we were coming. On the day of our inspection all 10 beds on the in-patient unit were occupied.

Staff were trained in how to protect people from the risk of abuse and harm. They knew how to recognise signs of abuse and how to raise an alert if they had any concerns.

The service had appropriate arrangements in place to manage medicines so people were protected from the risks associated with medicines.

There were sufficient staff on duty to meet people’s needs. Staffing levels were calculated and adjusted according to people’s changing needs.

Robust and safe recruitment procedures were followed which meant suitable staff were employed to help keep people safe.

Systems were in place to maintain the safety of the hos

During the inspection we were able to observe people's experiences in the hospice. We found that care and support was offered appropriately to people. We saw staff treated people with dignity and respect.

We talked with five patients and four relatives during our inspection. Patients told us they were happy with care at the hospice, liked all the staff who looked after them, thought the hospice was kept clean and they enjoyed their food. Some comments captured included, “my whole experience here has been brilliant”, “the staff are remarkable, they not only offer fantastic support to patients but to our family as well”, “the staff are brilliant, the care they provide is superb”, “nothing is too much trouble, staff go the extra mile to provide excellent care”, “the staff here are wonderful we see them as our extended family” and “this is a wonderful, special place.”

We found that people's needs were identified in care plans. Records showed that people had been involved in the care planning process.

Patients were supported to have adequate nutrition and hydration.

The environment was clean and patients had access to surroundings that were conducive in supporting their health and welfare.

We found there were processes in place to ensure the safety, availability and suitability of equipment.

We found there were effective recruitment and retention processes in place.

We spoke with three patients and four visiting relatives. They all spoke very positively about their experiences at Barnsley Hospice. They told us they were ‘extremely’ happy with care at the hospice, liked all the staff who looked after them, thought the service was kept clean and enjoyed their food. Some comments captured included, “a special place with special staff”, “brilliant staff I can’t fault any of them”,” all the staff here are wonderful, from the moment you walk through the door ,you know how special it is here” and “this is not an unhappy place, I have never met such wonderful staff.”

We found a clean warm service with a relaxed and friendly atmosphere. The staff team, including volunteers, showed a real desire to provide a high level of care and service to patients and relatives who were staying or visiting the hospice.

We found that patient's needs were identified in care plans. Patients and their relatives had been involved in the care planning process.

Medication records checked were up to date and regular audits of medication systems were undertaken.

We found that there were sufficient numbers of staff provided to meet patient’s needs.

We found that a complaints policy and procedure was in place. Patients had been provided with information on how to make a complaint. All of the patients and their relatives spoken with said they had no complaints or concerns about the hospice.

We did not look at the Day Care Services during our visit, but spent our time in the In-Patient Unit. We spoke with two people staying there. We were unable to speak with more people because of other people’s particular care needs on the day we visited.

Those individuals that we spoke with however told us they were very satisfied with the care and support provided. Their comments include “I get brilliant care”. And “I wanted to come back here. They looked after me so well last time”. They commented positively about the care staff who supported them, saying “They’re all angels.” And “The nurses come quickly if I ring my bell. They’re all wonderful.” They told us they felt “safe and secure” there, and trusted the staff with whom they came into contact.

People commented positively about the food served there and the cleanliness of the environment. No-one we spoke with at the hospice made any negative comments about the service and how it was being run.