Updated 16 October 2024
We undertook this assessment between 2 April and 5 September 2024. Bluebell Wood Children's Hospice provides care and support to babies, children and young people with life limiting conditions up to the age of 25 within a purpose-built hospice building, in families' homes and in other settings such as hospitals and schools. Services, which are nurse-led, include overnight care, care after death, and symptom management. We assessed 13 quality statements from across all the safe, effective, caring, responsive, and well-led key questions. We spoke to or gained feedback from 75 staff (in various departments and teams) across the service and reviewed six advanced care plans. We found areas of good practice outlined below. At this assessment, we found; There was a positive learning safety culture where events were investigated. Staff provided safe care and treatment. They were trained and competent and had the right skills to meet people's needs. Staff fulfilled and understood all safeguarding requirements appropriate for their role and responsibilities. Hospice staff coordinated, collaborated and shared information about children with partner organisations where appropriate. They routinely monitored people’s care and treatment, but could not continuously improve it. The hospice offered all staff extensive support such as wellbeing initiatives. The service’s care for children was joined-up, flexible and supported choice and continuity. The hospice encouraged, recorded, monitored and learned from feedback. Managers and relevant leads were clear about the hospice and service’s strategy and vision. Leaders were capable, accountable and safely recruited. Hospice leads worked to embed a psychologically safe culture. The hospice had a positive and improving governance and risk management culture. The assessment of these 13 quality statements indicated areas of good practice since the last inspection, therefore our overall rating remains good.