Naomi House & Jacksplace hospices in Sutton Scotney have been declared 'Outstanding' by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Acclaimed for their expert care and support for over 500 families across the region each year, the independent regulator underlined the services provided by the charity during their November 2023 inspection.

The hospices rely heavily on local community support as only 12 per cent of their £8 million annual running cost is government-funded.

Their latest assessment is consistent as they were also recognised as Outstanding in the previous 2015 inspection.

They stood out in 'Caring' and 'Responsive' categories while 'Effective', 'Safe', and 'Well led' were declared Good.

This recognition by the CQC, an authority tasked with maintaining the quality and safety of England’s healthcare services, underlines their critical role in the region's health and social care infrastructure.

Mark Smith, CEO at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: "I am delighted that, as a team, we have maintained our 'Outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission. This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional palliative care and support for children, young adults and their families.

"It reflects our charity’s Vision, where compassionate support and expert palliative care can be accessed when and where it is needed. It also supports our strategy: to reach more families and develop our services, and to collaborate with the healthcare system – in partnership.

"We will do this to ensure that Naomi House & Jacksplace continue to have a positive impact on the communities we serve. Together, we’re all looking forward to building on this success."

Erika Lipscombe, director of care at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: "I recently joined the team at Naomi House & Jacksplace and I know just how hard it is to maintain a CQC rating of ‘Outstanding’. It fills me with pride to be welcomed into a supportive team that displays such remarkable dedication and compassion.

"Every day, we are privileged to provide high-quality, personalised care that meets the unique needs of each family. The positive feedback shared by families during the inspection underscores the profound difference our team makes in the lives of those we support."