The Care Quality Commission
  • Hospice service

Michael Sobell Hospice

Overall: Good read more about inspection ratings

Rickmansworth Road, Northwood, Middlesex, HA6 2RN (020) 8106 9200

Provided and run by:
Harlington Hospice Association Limited

All Inspections

During an assessment under our new approach

Michael Sobell Hospice is operated by Harlington Hospice Association Limited and opened in 2020. Michael Sobell Hospice is an independent hospice in the London borough of Hillingdon. They primarily serve the community of Hillingdon but does provide care for patients from the surrounding areas of Harrow and Hertfordshire.

On 03 March 2026 we carried out an unannounced focussed inspection at Michael Sobell Hospice and inspected the assessment service group of Hospice services for adults. We inspected the key questions of safe and well led which had been rated as requires improvement at our previous inspection with regulatory breaches identified in regulation 12 safe care and treatment and regulation 17 good governance. Following this inspection we rated safe as good and well led as good meaning the overall rating for the service had improved since our last inspection.

The service had made improvements and is no longer in breach of regulations. Staff completed mandatory training and leaders had clear oversight. We found the service was visibly clean with cleaning products stored securely. Clinical audits were undertaken and data was presented on dashboards so leaders could use data to inform decision making. The service had developed a policy log, and it was clear when policies were due to be renewed and updated. Medicines management had improved and pharmacist hours had increased to support staff. Patient records were stored securely, and an electronic record system had been installed since the last inspection. The risk register was up to date and recorded named individuals leading on specific actions.

04.05/06 July 2022

During a routine inspection

This was the first time we rated this service. We rated it as requires improvement because:

  • Patient records were not stored securely.
  • The service did not ensure all staff completed their mandatory training.
  • The service did not always control infection risks well. Staff did not always use equipment and control measures to protect patients, themselves and others from infection. They did not always keep equipment and the premises visibly clean.
  • Staff did not always keep patient safe by ensuring infection prevention and control and cleaning measures were sufficient, in place and adhered to. Staff did not ensure the safe storage of controlled substances which may be hazardous to health.
  • Staff did not monitor patients regularly to see if they were in pain and therefore may not always give pain relief in a timely way.
  • Leaders did not always operate effective governance processes throughout the service.
  • Leaders did not run services well using reliable information systems.
  • Leaders and their teams did not always identify and escalate relevant risks and issues or identify actions to reduce their impact.

However:

  • The service had enough staff to care for patients.
  • Staff provided patients with enough to eat and drink.
  • Staff treated patients with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity, took account of their individual needs, and helped them understand their conditions. They provided emotional support to patients, families and carers.
  • Staff worked well together for the benefit of patients, advised them on how to lead healthier lives, and had access to good information.
  • Staff were enthusiastic about working at the service and said they had visible leaders.