A SOMERSET hospice has been judged as ‘outstanding’ after its latest inspection by health watchdogs.

St Margaret’s Somerset Hospice has received the highest available accolade from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection in July.

This is the second time the hospice has received this high praise, with special acknowledgement for its exceptional care, compassionate staff, and its commitment to patient safety and wellbeing.

The inspection, part of the CQC’s routine assessments, praised St Margaret’s for being effective, caring, responsive, and well-led. Additionally, the rating for safety has been elevated from 'Good' to 'Outstanding', demonstrating the hospice’s continued dedication to providing the highest quality care.

In the CQC’s report, staff at St Margaret’s were applauded for their kindness, attentiveness, and their ability to meet the unique needs of patients and their families.

The hospice was commended for its focus on patient safety and its innovative approach to end-of-life care. Special mention was given to the range of services offered, including translation services and tailored support for people with disabilities.

Catherine Campbell, CQC deputy director of operations in the South, said: "Everyone at the service should be extremely proud of the high-quality care they’re providing to people and their loved ones. Other providers should look at this report to see if there’s anything they can learn."

James Rimmer, CEO of St Margaret’s Hospice, expressed his gratitude and pride at the rating, and said: “We are absolutely thrilled to receive an ‘Outstanding’ rating from the CQC once again.

“This recognition is a testament to the dedication, compassion, and professionalism of every single member of our team. I want to extend my deepest thanks to our staff and volunteers for their commitment to delivering excellent care to our patients and their families.

“This achievement highlights our shared vision of placing patient care and safety at the heart of everything we do.”

Clare Barton, clinical director of St Margaret’s, echoed these sentiments, and said: “Our team works tirelessly to provide high-quality, compassionate care, and we are delighted that the CQC has recognised our efforts.

“Patient care and safety are always our top priorities, and we continuously strive to ensure that the care we provide is not only safe but also tailored to meet the individual needs of each person.

“This recognition is a true reflection of the incredible teamwork and dedication across all areas of the hospice, and I would like to extend my thanks to all staff and teams who should be very proud of their part in the delivery of outstanding care at St Margaret’s.”

A representative of the Hospice said: “St Margaret’s remains committed to delivering holistic care to adults with life-limiting conditions and their families, ensuring their needs are met with dignity, respect, and kindness.

“As part of the hospice’s continued growth and collaboration with local partners, the team looks forward to building on this success and continuing to innovate and improve their services.”

The full report will be available on the CQC’s website in the next few days.