Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice - which provides expert care for people with life-limiting illnesses across Rutland - has been rated as 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

The CQC awarded the top rating following a rigorous inspection of the Peterborough-based hospice's palliative care services, including its 20 bed inpatient unit, hospice at home team, day services and family support team, in December.

The CQC highlighted how 'patients and families were truly respected and valued as individuals by an exceptional service'.

Inspectors commented on how staff were 'devoted to doing all they could to support the emotional needs of patients, families and carers' and to help patients 'live every day to the fullest'.

A number of areas of outstanding practice were also praised, including the hospice's collaboration with external palliative care experts to improve nutrition for patients, the wellbeing café for patients, remembrance events for family and friends and the hospice's work with East Anglia Children's Hospice and Arthur Rank Hospice to support children transitioning into adult hospice services.

Allison Mann, Director at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice said: "This brilliant result is thanks to the commitment, dedication and hard work of all our staff and volunteers, who do all they can to be there when it matters for families.

"And it is thanks to their passion for providing expert and compassionate palliative care.

"We're thrilled to be rated outstanding, and hope this assures people with a terminal illness that they will receive the highest quality care at Sue Ryder Thorpe Hall Hospice.

"I would like to thank every one of the staff and volunteers for their hard work.

"We are all very proud of this outstanding achievement."

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