Archived: The Rutherford Cancer Centre North East

We rated this service as good because:

• The patient’s environments were safe, clean and well maintained.
• The service followed good practice with respect to safeguarding.
• Staff engaged in clinical audit to evaluate the quality of care they provided.
• The service had enough staff to care for patients and keep them safe. Staff had training in key skills, understood how to protect patients from abuse, and managed safety well. The service controlled infection risk well. Staff assessed risks to patients, acted on them and kept good care records. They managed medicines well. The service managed safety incidents well and learned lessons from them.
• Staff provided outstanding care and treatment, there was a truly holistic approach to assessing, planning and delivering care and treatment to all people who use services. This included meeting nutrition, hydration and pain relief needs. Managers monitored the effectiveness of the service and made sure staff were competent. Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, supported them to make decisions about their care, and had access to good information.
• People were truly respected and valued as individuals and were empowered as partners in their care, practically and emotionally, by the service. There was a strong, visible person-centred culture. Staff were highly motivated to offer care that is kind and promoted people’s dignity. Relationships between people who use the service, those close to the, and staff were strong, caring and respectful.
• The service planned care to meet the needs of local people, took account of patients’ individual needs, and made it easy for people to give feedback. People could access the service when they needed it and at a time that suited them. Key services were available seven days a week.

• Leaders ran services well using reliable information systems and supported staff to develop their skills. Staff understood the service’s vision and values, and how to apply them in their work. Staff felt respected, supported and valued. They were focused on the needs of patients receiving care. Staff were clear about their roles and accountabilities. The service engaged well with patients and the community to plan and manage services and all staff were committed to improving services continually.

However:

• The consent forms used should include capacity to consent and be the current version.