The strengths of Demelza Hospice Care for Children’s service in South East London have been highlighted in the latest CQC report, released on January 12, 2017, following an unannounced inspection in September.

Inspectors rated the charity in South East London “good” overall and “outstanding” in being responsive to the needs of the child, young person and their family. They found that staff often went beyond the scope of their duties to show that they cared.

“Children, young people and their families were at the heart of the service and were fully involved in the planning and review of care, treatment and support. Individual needs were met and responded to in a way that may exceed people’s expectations,” says the report.

Parents gave Demelza Hospice Care for Children in South East London a resounding thumbs up when quizzed by inspectors from the Care Quality Commission. One parent described Demelza’s hospice as "an amazing place." Another said: "I can't praise it enough. I feel blessed to have this service."

Demelza’s six-bed hospice in Eltham has been providing professional, specialist, one-to-one care and support and therapies for children and young people since 2009. Facilities include a sensory and music room, an art room, and fully accessible playground. Each bedroom has ensuite disabled facilities including Jacuzzi baths and toilet/bidet.

Services are available free of charge for children and young people, aged 0-19, with life-limiting or life-threatening conditions.

Beth Ward, Demelza’s Director of Care, said: “We were rated good, with outstanding for responsiveness, because we strive to put children, young people and their families first, with a strong commitment to delivering the best quality care and support. This is an achievement across the whole of Demelza.”

Demelza currently supports around 150 families in seven boroughs in South East London – but that’s only one in five of the families which could benefit from its help.

While Demelza hopes to expand its services in the next five years, offering more community-based care, the hospice is not funded by the NHS and is largely dependent on donations and fundraising.

The CQC report found that children and young people who used Demelza South East London - and their families - received care that was compassionate and kind. People felt the practical and emotional help they were given had an impact on their lives, both during their child's illness and afterwards.

One parent commented on the, "professionalism, care and empathy" of the service, while another described the help they received as "a life saver". Families felt their children benefitted from the range of therapies which were available.

Health and social care professionals likewise commented on the caring approach of Demelza South East London, with one saying: "We found Demelza to be a compassionate, open and transparent organisation to work with; they put the child and family at the heart of their work."

Demelza’s Kent hospice opened in 1998 and the charity has also been offering care in the community in East Sussex since 2004. Both these services were recently rated “outstanding.”

You can view the full report by visiting: http://www.cqc.org.uk/location/1-119107844 • Find out more about Demelza at www.demelza.org.uk, follow the charity on Facebook at www.facebook.com/demelzahospice or @demelzahospice on Twitter.

Based on information supplied by Jane Shotliff.