The Care Quality Commission has found the quality of care provided by East Anglia’s Children’s Hospices (EACH) in Milton, Cambridgeshire to be Outstanding overall following an inspection carried out in February.

EACH provides care and treatment to children and young people between 0 -19 years who have a life-threatening illness or condition. 

Inspectors found staff were caring and compassionate and people were being provided with safe, responsive, caring, effective and well-led care. 

EACH was rated Outstanding overall, Outstanding for being caring and responsive and Good for being safe, effective and well-led. 

Rob Assall-Marsden, CQC’s Head of Inspection for Adult Social Care in the central region said: “We were impressed with what we found during our inspection of Milton Children's Hospice and inspectors were struck by how caring staff were to those using the service. 

“The young people inspectors met were happy at the hospice and were relaxed and comfortable with the staff.

“The service had received numerous compliments about the care and support provided to young people and their families. Parents told us how much the care and support provided by the hospice staff meant to them, their child and their extended family.

“The service had a very strong person-centred culture. Everything was based on the needs, wishes and goals of the individual child and their family. The staff team strived to give each child the best life, and if and when it came to it, the best death they could have. Staff supported families before, during and after a bereavement for as long as the family needed support.

“There was a wide range of opportunities and activities available including; therapy sessions, activities and outings. Each child's hobbies and interests were encouraged and widened.

“All of this meant people received a high standard of care, which is why it has been rated Outstanding.” 

Andrea Sutcliffe, Chief Inspector of Adult Social Care, said: “The quality of care which our inspectors found here was exceptional and I am very pleased that we can celebrate the service’s achievements.  

   

“An outstanding service is the result of a tremendous amount of hard work and commitment. I would like to thank and congratulate everyone involved.”

Tracy Rennie, EACH Director of Care, said: “We are absolutely delighted and so very proud to receive an outstanding rating for our Milton based service. The entire EACH Cambridgeshire team, from members of our care staff through to volunteers and our facilities and admin staff, all deserve huge congratulations for this significant achievement