THE quality of care provided at Dorset children’s hospice, Julia's House has been rated “outstanding”, making it one of the first services to gain the top ranking.

Independent regulator the Care Quality Commission inspected the hospice in August, under its new approach to care services.

Inspectors found that children and young people using the service were receiving care which was safe, effective, responsive and well led, from staff who were compassionate and delivered individualised care with dignity and respect.

Ali Acaster, joint director of care for the hospice, said: “We are thrilled that the CQC has recognised the work of our care team as ‘outstanding’.

“We are proud that the service we provide fills a unique need to the very highest standards across Dorset and South Wiltshire.”

Inspectors noted how staff interacted with the children and young people, supporting them with care and compassion.

One parent told inspectors: “They do so much with him and so much more than we ever imagined he was able to do. They champion him, it’s amazing.”

Julia’s House, based in Corfe Mullen, also provides an out-of-hours system where families can quickly access advice and support when needed.

Staff also supported teenagers transferring to adult services, with a lead nurse working with a local adult day hospice to trial day sessions for young people.

“We found that Julia’s House was providing an outstanding service to the children and young people it supported and to their families, and the team there should be extremely proud of the work they do,” said Adrian Hughes, deputy chief inspector, responsible for the regulation of services in the south.

He added: “More than anything else, the way in which the staff team are led to think of each person as a unique individual and respond accordingly, is why this hospice has received the highest rating we can give.”

‘Thought put into each day’

MARTIN Edwards, hospice chief executive said: “At Julia’s House we put considerable thought into how to make the most of each day for each child, taking into account all their likes and dislikes.

“We listen, we adjust our service wherever it can be improved, and we involve the children’s parents in oversight of our clinical practices.

“And we expect and support our staff to live and breathe our values of compassion in care, because we want to make the world a better place for each child and family that needs us.”