Sue Ryder’s palliative care hub in Oxfordshire rated ‘Good’ by CQC following expansion
Sue Ryder Palliative Care Hub South Oxfordshire has been rated ‘Good’ by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), with inspectors praising the charity for its compassionate and person-centred care.
Kindness, dignity and respect
The CQC is the independent regulator of health and social care in England.
The inspection took place in July, just six months after the charity launched its new services, which expanded the care available to people with a terminal illness across South Oxfordshire and Berkshire West.
The Palliative Care Hub includes teams of doctors, specialist nurses, healthcare assistants and therapists supporting people in their own homes. There’s also a 24-hour advice line, and wellbeing and bereavement support, some of which is delivered by trained volunteers.
Inspectors highlighted the professionalism of Sue Ryder's teams, observing staff treating people and their families with “kindness, dignity and respect”.
We cannot speak any more highly of the care, support and empathy that mum and us as a family have received.
A family member
They also interviewed patients, families and loved ones, receiving positive feedback about the staff and care.
One family said: “We cannot speak any more highly of the care, support and empathy that mum and us as a family have received.”
Another added: “Lovely staff who answer all my questions. They did not use medical jargon, they explained it in simple language.”
The report revealed that patients described Sue Ryder staff as “kind, caring and supportive during difficult periods in their lives”, while families said they felt “informed, reassured and well-supported” by the charity's team.
Having gone through significant expansion following the launch of our brand-new service, our teams have continued to put the people we support first.
Louise Lucio, Regional Director of Operations for Sue Ryder in the South East
Louise Lucio, Regional Director of Operations for Sue Ryder in the South East, said: “We are delighted that the dedication, compassion and professionalism of our teams has been recognised not just by the CQC, but by patients from our local community who spoke to the inspectors.
“We would like to thank all our staff for their hard work and dedication over the past year, as well as all the volunteers who give up their time to support the service. Additionally, we are extremely grateful to every one of our supporters who shop with us, donate goods, run marathons and more. Without you the care we provide wouldn’t be possible.
“Having gone through significant expansion following the launch of our brand-new service, our teams have continued to put the people we support first. This result is a real reflection of their commitment to supporting more local people and their loved ones.”
We remain committed to working closely with our healthcare partners to expand access to our care and ensure more local families receive the support they need.
Louise Lucio
The report recognised how Sue Ryder supports people to maintain their independence and continue doing the things that matter most to them when they are living with terminal illnesses.
One example highlighted a patient being supported to attend appointments at a local garden centre, where they felt comfortable and enjoyed spending time.
Louise added: “With more people than ever needing palliative and end-of-life care, we remain committed to working closely with our healthcare partners to expand access to our care and ensure more local families receive the support they need, when and where they need it.”
Sue Ryder supports people at every stage of their journey, from diagnosis through to end-of-life, including support for families and loved ones, so that no one faces death or grief alone.
Last year across the UK, Sue Ryder delivered more than 655,000 hours of end-of-life care, managing pain and symptoms, and making more space for final days to be filled with love.
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