Chesterfield’s Ashgate Hospice is highly praised in top report

The Healthwatch team visited the Chesterfield hospice over four days talking to inpatients, day patients, their families and visitors.

The report stated: “All patients were very happy with the quality of care they received in the hospice, saying staff were amazing, faultless, absolutely brilliant, personable, fantastic and superb.

“Patients stated that all their needs were accommodated and they were treated with respect and dignity throughout. Many patients added their stay was like a 5* hotel and were happy to be there at such a difficult time in their life.”

Healthwatch is the national consumer champion in health and care with significant statutory powers to ensure the voice of the consumer is strengthened and heard by those who commission, deliver and regulate health and care services.

Ashgate Director of Clinical Services Anna Baker said: “A key priority for us is to understand the experiences of patients and their loved ones in our hospice, and so we were delighted to welcome Healthwatch.

“We are constantly striving to ensure that we deliver the highest quality of care and compassion throughout the hospice and it is very rewarding to hear such high levels of satisfaction from patients, carers and volunteers.”

Ashgate is the second largest hospice in the East Midlands with more than 7,000 patient contacts a year. The independent charity provides specialist care and support to local people with life limiting illnesses and their families across North Derbyshire.

Alongside a 21-bed inpatient unit and extensively used day unit, Ashgate provides patient and family support and bereavement services as well as a range of care and support in people’s homes.

Teams of specialist nurses and therapists also work in the community and at Chesterfield Royal Hospital.

Running the hospice costs £6.5million a year. Ashgate receives NHS funding of £2.5m so needs to raise a further £4m to ensure these vital services can continue.

The Healthwatch Derbyshire report concluded: “Patient satisfaction levels were extremely high.

“The ward and day centre are immaculately clean, the gardens and meadows are beautiful and maintained to a high standard. The hospice is warm and welcoming and there was a huge emphasis on quality of care, treatment and medication.”

Pictured is Ashgate Hospice Director of Clinical Services Anna Baker.