Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice: Leeds hospice has rating upgraded after CQC review
A Leeds hospice has had its care rating upgraded following a formal review.
A damning report by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), released in August, had placed Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice into special measures following an inspection in March and May last year.
The CQC rated the service as inadequate overall, and in the areas of ‘safe’, ‘effective’ and ‘well-led’. ‘Caring’ was rated requires improvement and ‘responsive’ was rated as good.
The publication of the report came two weeks after whistleblowers told the Yorkshire Evening Post that end-of-life patients had been moved suddenly over “unforeseen staff shortages”.
Sue Ryder requested a formal review to appeal the findings, and the CQC carried out another focused inspection in July.
Following the review, the hospice’s rating for ‘safe’ has now been upgraded from inadequate to requires improvement. Caring was re-rated as requires improvement, while well-led, effective and responsive weren’t included in the inspection.
This means that the hospice’s overall rating has been upgraded from inadequate to requires improvement.
Sue Ryder’s chief executive officer, James Sanderson, said: “We are pleased that the CQC has confirmed there was an error in their scoring process for Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice.
“The amended rating reflects what we had identified and were actively addressing following our own quality reviews and safety controls, before the CQC inspection took place.
“Our internal findings had already led to an improvement plan being introduced, which our care teams have carried on working relentlessly to deliver.”
The Grove Road hospice provides adult inpatient and community specialist palliative care services for people with life-limiting conditions where curative treatment is no longer an option and people are approaching the end of their life.
Mr Sanderson added: “The incorrect rating has caused distress to the patients we care for, their families, our clinical teams, the healthcare professionals we work alongside, our supporters and volunteers too.
“I want to thank our supporters for continuing to believe in us throughout this period, which has been really appreciated by our teams at the hospice. I also want to thank our clinical teams for the huge amount of professionalism and dedication they have shown throughout this difficult time.
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“While we are pleased with the outcome of the CQC rating review, we recognise that further improvements are needed and are already underway. Our teams remain focused on delivering the established improvement plan with professionalism and commitment.
“We have had a strong working relationship with the CQC for many years, and we are grateful for the time they have taken to review this matter. I hope this brings closure and clarity to everyone.
“Sue Ryder Wheatfields Hospice is now focused on moving forward, restoring confidence, and working with the CQC and our partners to continue our vital work caring for the people of Leeds.”
A CQC spokesperson said: “As with all inspection reports, Sue Ryder, who runs the hospice, had an opportunity to request a review of its ratings. This involves CQC checking whether we followed our processes when scoring an assessment and reaching a rating.
“Following a formal review of the ratings for the March/May report, which was carried out by a senior CQC member of staff who wasn’t involved in the inspection, the rating for ‘effective’ changed from inadequate to requires improvement.
“This has resulted in the overall rating improving from inadequate to requires improvement.
“This shows that CQC has appropriate processes in place, so services have the opportunity to appeal the ratings in the reports, to ensure they are fair and consistent.”