A hospice has been recognised for its high standards of care by being awarded the highest level of clinical accreditation at Walsall Healthcare NHS Trust.

Deborah Jones, Senior Sister at Goscote Hospice, was presented with a Sapphire Award for the hospice by Lisa Carroll, Chief Nursing Officer at Walsall Healthcare.

Goscote is the first winner of the Sapphire ward after the scheme was recently introduced at the Trust.

To get the accreditation each area must pass an audit which looks at 15 identified areas such as medicine management, communication, safeguarding and feedback.

Lisa said: “It was fantastic to present Goscote Hospice with the highest level of clinical accreditation.

“The clinical accreditation report portrays that staff feel the hospice is a lovely place to work and there is a lot of areas of brilliant examples of outstanding care. Well done all – keep up the good work.”

The report details that the hospice environment is warm and welcoming, and patients and relatives are very happy with the standard of care delivered along with the emotional support provided.

Katy Menear, Deputy Professional Lead for Palliative and End Of Life Care, said: “We are extremely proud to have achieved this Sapphire award.

“The team have worked so hard to maintain their high standards of care, and we recognise the wider team effort including all those who input into the hospice including our nurses, medics, therapists, and non-clinical staff.

“Over the last three years the team within Goscote Hospice have undergone multiple changes, from moving from a charitable organisation to an NHS trust to an increase in staff turnover which have each come with their own challenges to overcome.

“Considering this we are absolutely delighted and thrilled to have achieved Sapphire rated accreditation and hope to maintain this to achieve Diamond in the future! Well done to all at Goscote Hospice.”