Children’s hospice rated outstanding

The Care Quality Commisison (CQC) said the Forget Me Not Children’s Hospice in Huddersfield was one of the first services of its kind to win the top rating.

The hospice provides services to youngsters from Kirklees, Calderdale and Wakefield.

Inspectors said care was provided to an “extremely high standard”, with staff focused on enhancing the quality of life for youngsters and their families.

One parent told inspectors: “Whatever you want, they do their utmost to fulfil that need.”

Another said: “This is a special place to us. It’s like being in a caring bubble where all anxieties and stresses ease.”

Care plans for each child were “incredibly detailed”. Every child had their own “play passport” showing their play preferences.

Debbie Westhead, deputy chief inspector for adult social care in the north, said the hospice’s team should be “extremely proud of the work they do”.

She said: “The support provided was designed not just to meet the child’s needs, but also to the whole family.

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

Hospice chief executive Peter Branson said: “The families we care for deserve the very best and we are thrilled that the dedication and commitment of our care team has been recognised in this way by the CQC.”