The Peace Hospice received a major boost this week after an independent audit by the Quality Care Commission reported that the Hospice’s standard of care is "exceptional".

The Quality Care Commission (QCC) which regulates, inspects and reviews all adult social care services in the public, private and voluntary sectors in England, spent time at the hospice observing how people were being cared for, looked at records of people who used the hospice’s services, talked with staff and patients about the care provided and reviewed information from key stakeholder groups.

The report also commended the hospice on the way in which people’s views and experiences were taken into account in the way the hospice delivers its services.

The report also complimented the hospice on ensuring that it had enough qualified and experienced staff who were able to keep people safe and meet their health needs.

Hospice chairman of Trustee, David Ellis OBE said: "Our aim is to always deliver the best care possible for those people who need our services and I am delighted that the Quality Care Commission has recognised this.

"We will continue to ensure that anyone who needs our services from across south west Hertfordshire will be cared for in the best possible way."

Hospice chief executive Sue Plummer said: "Receiving this exceptional rating is a fantastic achievement for us at the Peace Hospice.

"We work hard to ensure that both our patients and their families are cared for in the right way and this report has shown that we are not only on the right track but that we are excelling in the way that we provide our care."

She added: ‘I would like to thank our staff, trustees, volunteers and supporters who all play such a key role collectively in helping us to deliver our services.

"We need to raise more than £3.8 million in charitable income every year so that we can continue to provide free care to our patients and their families from across south west Hertfordshire."

The Peace Hospice provides an inpatient unit, day service, hospice at home service as well as bereavement support. 

For more information on the work of the Peace Hospice, call 01923 330330 or visit www.peacehospice.org.uk.