2016 Shortlist | St Cuthbert’s Hospice
St Cuthbert’s Hospice
Winner – Improving Impact – charities with 26+ paid staff
Who they are
Established in 1988, St. Cuthbert’s Hospice provides free specialist palliative care for adults in County Durham with complex life-limiting illnesses, and support for their families and carers. In 2015 it became the first adult hospice in England to be awarded “Outstanding” status under the Care Quality Commission’s new rating system, and remains one of only nine adult hospices in the country to hold that rating.
The Hospice has 74 staff, and over 360 active local volunteers. It provides daycare for up to 18 adults at a time, a 10-bedded In-Patient Unit offering respite nursing care, symptom control and end of life care; and a Family Support Team offering practical and emotional support for patients, their families (including children) and other carers. In 2014–15 the Day Hospice had 154 guests, who between them attended 2,602 sessions, and 290 Outpatients. The In-Patient Unit had 279 admissions with an average stay of 13.2 days; and their Family Support Team helped 169 adults.
The Hospice’s area of benefit is one of high socioeconomic and health deprivation. Its need for end of life care is significantly greater than the England average; adults have lower than average life expectancy rates and its communities are ageing rapidly.
What they’ve achieved
St Cuthbert’s Hospice impressed the panel with the clear evidence of impact they provided.
The statistics they shared included evidence of the number of people supported, and how they were helped. For example, they showed how 100% of patients received pain relief and 90% of patients on the Everything in Place project (which supports people to think about death and dying) were more confident about considering their death.
The Hospice benchmarked itself against Office for National Statistics data, and statistics from other hospices, to put results in context. Their entry explained the significance of indicators, such as whether patients had an Advanced Care Plan in place.
Evidence-driven innovation
The board is helping pilot an outcomes framework to pull together validated measures which evidence impact on patients and families in key domains. The board also uses information to make strategic decisions and extend services, such as the Everything in Place and dementia projects, to previously under-represented groups and communities.
We were impressed with the board’s commitment to evidence-based innovation and monitoring its own appraisal.
