St Luke’s has received an overall rating of ‘outstanding’ – the highest possible award – following an unannounced inspection by the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in October 2016.
Inspectors from the CQC - the independent regulator of all health and social care services in England - looked at every aspect of activity at St Luke's and assessed that our leadership, effectiveness and responsiveness were all outstanding, with safety and caring both rated good, leading to award an overall rating of outstanding.
In a detailed report which can be viewed on the CQC website, the inspectors found that ‘people received exceptional care,’ that St Luke’s is 'continually striving for excellence’ and 'extremely forward thinking.’
The report also added that ‘people, relatives and healthcare professionals consistently praised the exceptional standards of care, treatment and support provided by staff.’
Peter Hartland, Chief Executive of St Luke’s, said: “We are delighted that the inspectors rated St Luke’s as outstanding.
“So far, fewer than two per cent of all organisations inspected across the country have received such a rating, so this is excellent news for the dedicated team at St Luke’s and for healthcare in Sheffield.
“The report makes much of the great teamwork here at St Luke’s, the employees and volunteers who come together to deliver, run and fund these services - we thank everyone for their efforts and dedication.
“Whilst we’re delighted that the inspectors saw an outstanding service when they visited, every day brings real challenges.
“Our ethos is to put patients and families first and try to ensure that each one has an outstanding experience in the most difficult of circumstances.
“As a charity, none of this would be possible without the support of people in Sheffield who continue to provide most of the funding for this vital work through donations, buying goods in our shops and in so many other ways – on behalf of those we help, thank you.”
Judith Park, St Luke’s Deputy Chief Executive and Director of Patient Care, commented: “This report makes much of the innovative new practices we’ve introduced at St Luke’s and all the teams involved deserve the utmost credit for going the extra mile to make change happen.
“We now care for more patients than ever before, many more at home, and the report makes it clear that patients and families truly appreciate this.”
Alex Pettifer MBE, Chair of the St Luke’s Board of Trustees, added: “This report shows the impact of ten years’ hard work by the leadership team, employees and volunteers at St Luke’s - supported by the Board - and we’re very proud that Sheffield has a wonderful hospice, dedicated to caring for people at their time of need.
“We hope that those who help support and fund St Luke’s will continue to do so, so that more people with wider needs can be helped as they approach the end of their lives.”
The CQC’s report can be found here.