We carried out this inspection under Section 60 of the Health and Social Care Act 2008 as part of our regulatory functions. This inspection was planned to check whether the provider is meeting the legal requirements and regulations associated with the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and to pilot a new inspection process being introduced by CQC which looks at the overall quality of the service.

The inspection was announced. We told the provider two days before our visit that we would be coming.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice provided nursing care for people over the age of 18 living with a life limiting illness. The staff provided treatment and care for physical symptoms and helped people with addressing emotional, spiritual and social wellbeing. They also provided support to families and close friends during the illness and bereavement.

St Wilfrid’s hospice provided three distinct services. These included an ‘in patient unit’ which provided accommodation and had up to 20 bedrooms with en suite showers and toilets. ‘Wellbeing’ provided therapy and support to people who were able to come to the hospice and use its facilities.  People living at home received care, treatment and support from the ‘hospice at home’ team who were co-ordinated from the hospice.

There was a registered manager in post at the hospice.  A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service and has the legal responsibility for meeting the requirements of the law; as does the provider.

People and their relatives told us that they felt safe when in the care of the hospice staff. Staff working for the hospice understood the needs of people and consulted with them throughout the care delivery. People and their families were involved in the planning of care and were treated with kindness and compassion with due regard to their privacy and dignity.  

Records showed that staff had received training on safeguarding vulnerable adults and the Mental Capacity Act 2005. Staff were able to tell us what they would do if they had any concerns and talked about when people were not able to make decisions for themselves. Meetings were held with relatives and health care professionals to make decisions in people’s best interest.

Staff were appropriately trained and skilled and provided care in a safe environment. They all received a thorough induction when they started work at the hospice and fully understood their roles and responsibilities, as well as the values and philosophy of the hospice. The staff had also completed additional training to ensure that the care provided to people was safe and effective to meet their needs.

St Wilfrid’s Hospice had the resources, that included skilled staff, facilities and equipment and well-established contacts with other health and social care professionals that ensured effective care delivery for people wherever they needed and wanted it. Feedback from all sources was used in a productive way to improve the service.

There was a strong management team which listened and supported the staff and volunteers working for the service. There was a clear clinical governance structure in place that involved staff at all levels to establish and maintain the best possible care for people.