Care Quality Commission

As an independent hospice we are regulated by the Care Quality Commission.

Prior to 1st April 2009 we were regulated by the Healthcare Commission which, on this date, was combined with the Commission for Social Care Inspection and the Mental Act Commission to form the Care Quality Commission.

The Care Quality Commission requires us to appoint a senior manager as our 'Registered Manager', who we call our Director of Patient Services.

Each year the Care Quality Commission sends us a Self-Assessment form which we complete and return.  We are also inspected on a regular basis.  Here is our latest Regulatory Assessment Statement.

We ask our patients to complete an annual survey commenting on our services.   The most recent one was carried out in 2009, as part of a nationwide survey run by Help the Hospices.

Every year we also publish a Statement of Purpose which provides details on:

• our company and charity numbers, Board of Trustees, CEO and Registered Manager details
• our aim and objectives
• our management structure
• medical, nursing and other health professional team staff numbers

It is part of our registration requirement that we make this information available to you and it should be read in conjunction with our Patient Handbook.
 

Internal regulation

We have a systematic approach to internal regulation which we call Clinical Governance.  Gina Starnes, our Director of Patient Services is responsible for overseeing this; however, it concerns all staff at St Catherine's. 

We have a rolling programme of audits and service reviews covering all aspects of the care we provide for patients. 

This helps us ensure:

• high quality care
• a safe patient environment
• continuous improvement - safeguarding our high standards of care
• that patients remain our main focus and priority

Current issues in End of Life Care

We know that there are an increasing number of families (and friends) who are caring for people at the end of their lives and that the topic is being talked about more.