During an assessment under our new approach
Sue Ryder Oxfordshire offers a range of services and end of life care for people with life-limiting illnesses. Services include a 24-hour advice line, clinical nurse specialists teams, medical teams, Hospice at Home, a virtual ward, therapies, wellbeing and bereavement support, and volunteer services. Care is provided in people's homes, care homes, community clinics and through virtual support. The service also has access to 2 bed spaces in a community hospital. The service works with other health and care professionals to help people receive care and support in the place that best meets their needs.
In our assessment of the hospice service, we found people received safe, compassionate, high-quality care. Staff worked collaboratively to provide person-centred support, and people and those important to them were involved in decisions about their care and treatment. Care was planned around people's individual needs, preferences and wishes, with a strong focus on helping people receive care in their preferred place wherever possible.
We saw evidence of a positive learning culture, effective multidisciplinary working and a commitment to continually improving services. Staff treated people and their families with kindness, dignity and respect and worked closely with partner organisations to coordinate care and support.
Leaders had identified areas for improvement and were taking action to address them, while maintaining a focus on delivering high-quality palliative and end of life care. Although the service was undergoing a period of significant organisational change, leaders recognised the challenges this had created for staff and had plans in place to improve communication, workforce stability and the sustainability of services.
People’s experience of the service
People told us they received compassionate, high-quality care and support.The service's inpatient survey from 2025 - 2026 received 71 responses, with people describing staff as kind, caring and supportive during difficult periods in their lives.
During our inspection, we observed staff treating people and families with kindness, dignity and respect. For example, one person told us, “We cannot speak any more highly of the care, support and empathy that mum and us as a family have received”.
People told us staff listened to them, involved them in decisions about their care and respected their wishes and preferences. Families described feeling supported, informed and reassured throughout their experience with the service. People valued the emotional, wellbeing and bereavement support available.