A major hospice charity in Wiltshire has been rated as "oustanding". 

After an unannounced inspection took place on June 9, Dorothy House Hospice Care was given the rating by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Dorothy House was rated outstanding overall, and was assessed on factors like whether its services were safe, effective, caring, responsive to people’s needs and well-led.

But it was noted that the service needed to make improvements in their medicines management.

The report said: “The provider should ensure that patients receiving medicines by transdermal patches are monitored appropriately, ensure that patient group directions are legally valid to allow staff to administer medicines and ensure that medicine audits are accurately reflecting practices within the hospice.”

A spokesperson for Dorothy House said: "The CQC report did highlight that improvements could be made in some areas of our work and we will rapidly address these issues.

"We welcome feedback and are always looking for opportunities to improve our care."

Despite this, most findings were positive, as the report outlined: “People received outstanding care from highly motivated staff who developed exceptionally positive, caring and compassionate relationships with them.

“The services had an open and positive culture that placed people at the heart of everything they did. Staff treated people with sensitivity, dignity and respect.

“Services were planned and tailored to meet the complex needs of individual people, and the local population, in partnership with the wider health economy. The Hospices’ services were delivered flexibly, by a responsive and passionate multidisciplinary team, providing choice and continuity of care for patients, their families and carers.”

Dorothy House Chair of Trustees, Stephen Taylor said: “I am delighted to learn that Dorothy House has retained its ‘Outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission.

"To be placed in the top three per cent of healthcare providers, particularly after more than two years of a pandemic, is a remarkable achievement."

Chief Executive, Wayne de Leeuw added: “Everyone at Dorothy House is thrilled about our continued ‘Outstanding’ rating by the Care Quality Commission. Last year we cared for 10% more people than previous year and we are expanding our care following a services review in 2020.

"It’s an exciting time for the organisation as we continue to explore new ways of providing care with and in our community.”