A Kent hospice providing care to both adults and children with life-limiting illnesses has been rated Outstanding overall in its latest assessment by the Care Quality Commission (CQC), the independent regulator of health and social care services in England.
ellenor, based in Gravesend and caring for people across North Kent and Bexley, received the highest possible overall rating following an assessment focused on its hospice services for adults, with children’s clinical nursing support continuing to play a vital role in the community. The hospice was rated Outstanding in the ‘Caring’ and ‘Responsive’ categories and Good for being Safe, Effective and Well-led.
ellenor supports patients and families every step of the way – with inpatient care, hospice-at-home services and bereavement support. During the inspection, ellenor provided inpatient care for up to eight patients, along with hospice-at-home and care home support for adults. Its new Wellbeing Centre also offered services such as bereavement support, falls prevention, seated exercise, gardening, yoga, arts and crafts and help with managing breathlessness. In addition, ellenor provides clinical nursing support to children and young people in the community, helping them stay in familiar surroundings with their families.
Inspectors praised ellenor’s staff for going “above and beyond” to meet individual needs and wishes particularly at the end of life. People were treated with kindness, compassion and dignity, and staff respected their privacy. The CQC also commended ellenor’s strong focus on inclusion and cultural understanding as well as its proactive work to reduce health inequalities and reach underrepresented communities.
Leaders and staff at ellenor were described as visible, supportive, and committed to fostering a strong learning culture. Staff were praised for their dedication to improvement, openness to feedback, and strong teamwork across the service.
“We are thrilled to receive this Outstanding rating and it truly belongs to our whole ellenor family – our staff, volunteers, patients and our local community,” said Mary Kirk, ellenor’s Director of Care and Quality. “Every day, we see the difference this care makes to people’s lives here in Kent. This recognition reflects the love, dedication and commitment that everyone puts into supporting families when they need it most.”
This recognition highlights ellenor’s role in helping people live as fully as possible, even with a life-limiting condition. As a local charity, ellenor depends on donations, volunteers, fundraising, and partnerships to keep these vital services available to everyone who needs them.