The care provided by Julia’s House children’s hospice has been awarded ‘Outstanding’ following a recent inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the highest rating to be awarded by the independent regulator of care and social care in England.
We provide a lifeline of care for families of children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions across Wiltshire and Dorset.
The inspectors observed care in our Wiltshire hospice in Devizes and out and about in the community, as nurses and carers worked with local seriously ill children and their families at home. They also conducted private interviews with a number of parents supported by Julia’s House, as well as speaking with our staff and senior management about their work.
Martin Edwards, Chief Executive of Julia’s House, shared: “We are delighted to be judged ‘Outstanding’ as we understand this is now a very rarely awarded rating, which makes it feel especially rewarding. It’s a huge testament to everyone involved in providing care and support for the most seriously ill children and their families in our community.
“Our services are the same across both counties, so while the inspection took place in Wiltshire, it very much feels like a measure of the whole charity. It has been a hugely challenging 18 months, but this rating shows the exceptional care, compassion and standards that we always strive for, as well as the way we have adapted during the pandemic. Our staff, who have worked so hard and in such difficult circumstances to keep us caring, should feel very proud, as should all our volunteers and supporters.”
The CQC report noted that the families Julia’s House supports “felt listened to, cared for and respected.” One family told the inspectors their child was “always happy and excited when the care team arrived.” The team were described as being “thoughtful, practical, thorough and that they always thought ahead and planned activities to get the most out of the time they spent with children to make it as good an experience as possible.”
One of the parents Julia’s House supports shared that the care service “had been amazing” and they would “not want to be without them.” While another told the CQC “they really are amazing, everything they do is amazing, they really know and care and give us time as a family.”
You can see the full CQC report here.
