STOURBRIDGE'S Mary Stevens Hospice has been rated outstanding by the Care Quality Commission.

Inspectors paid an unannounced visit to the hospice in Hagley Road in February, where they assessed patients’ experiences of care and treatment by rating services based on whether they were safe, effective, caring, responsive to people's needs, and well-led.

The report by inspectors said “people told us staff were very caring, kind and receptive to their needs" and that "people’s independence was encouraged, and their privacy and dignity protected” and it adds: “Staff worked hard to provide lasting and memorable experiences for people and their family members so that they experienced compassionate care.”

It also found that “staff knew each person well and understood how to support them when they were unwell or approached the end of their life. People were at the heart of the service and fully involved in the planning and review of their care.”

CQC inspectors praised the senior management, saying: "Leadership was strong and consistently looked at ways to promote the provision of palliative and end of life care for people. There was a clear management structure with good communication so that everyone, including the trustees, shared the same vision and plans for the future.”

Claire Towns, who has been interim CEO at the Oldswinford hospice since the departure of Stevan Jackson at the start of the year, said: “To receive the news that we have had achieved outstanding for our hospice service is a real accolade."

Mrs Towns, a qualified nurse who is also the hospice matron and registered manager, added: "This result is reflective of the hard work and dedication of the whole hospice team. Care, compassion and kindness are at the heart of everything we do at the hospice and this has been reflected throughout the whole report. I am immensely proud to be leading such an outstanding team. Throughout my nursing career the team at the hospice are simply the best I have ever had the privilege to work with. This achievement is not only good news for the hospice but also for the community that we are here to serve.”

You can read the full CQC report online at https://www.cqc.org.uk/provider/1-101634329

The hospice, a registered charity, has been providing palliative and end of life care for people with life limiting illnesses to people from across the Dudley borough, Black Country and surrounding areas since 1991.