Inspectors rate children’s hospices as ‘outstanding’ in latest visits

East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) said they were ‘thrilled’ that CQC inspectors had labelled all their hospices as ‘outstanding,’ the top grade available.

The inspectors were full of praise for staff and facilities at the three sites - Milton, The Treehouse and The Nook.

Tracy Rennie, EACH Acting Chief Executive, said: “I’m so proud of all our staff and volunteers. Everyone has a part to play in making sure children and families get the care they need. It’s not only the care staff, but everyone who contributes to make EACH the organisation it is. This huge achievement is testament to their commitment to be the best in all they do and I’d like to take this opportunity to publicly thank them.

“This has been wonderful news to receive in uncertain times. To protect the vulnerable children who use our service and to reduce the spread of the virus, we’ve suspended some of the care we offer. Short-break care and wellbeing therapies, wellbeing groups and events, face-to-face counselling, care of the child’s body after they have died and our Help at Home volunteering service have all been stopped. Visitors to the hospices are restricted so that only the parents or main carers of children receiving care can enter.”

Following their visit to Milton, inspectors said; “Staff repeatedly went the extra mile in their care and were committed to find ways to make a difference to children and their families. Staff went above and beyond expectations to establish and meet patient’s individual needs and were passionate about the care they delivered.”

At the Treehouse, the inspectors found: “There was a truly holistic approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment to all children and young people who used the service. The service provided care and treatment based on national guidance and evidence-based practice, and managers checked to make sure staff followed guidance.”

And at The Nook, they said: “Staff were devoted to doing all they could to support the emotional needs of patients, families and carers to minimise their distress. Staff helped patients live every day to the fullest.

Tracy added: “While for now we focus on providing end-of-life care and bereavement support, working closely with the NHS to provide capacity to care for the sickest children and responding to urgent requests for care and support as best we can, once it is safe to do so we must be able to start offering our care service in full again.

“I’d like to take this opportunity to thank our supporters who continue to support us at this time. We rely on voluntary donations for the majority of our income, meaning our staff are only able to deliver this outstanding care because of the equally outstanding local communities.

“Just over a week ago, we launched an appeal to replace the £1.8m voluntary income we expect to lose over the next 12 weeks, following the closure of all our shops and cancellation of fundraising activities.

“Unlike hospitals, we rely on the generosity of the public to fund our service. Together we can make sure our vital care and support is still available for the children, young people and their families who need us during and beyond this most challenging of times.”