A CHARITY in Minchinhampton which supports people with life-limiting illnesses has been rated as providing “outstanding” care.

Inspectors from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) visited Longfield care hospice to observe how people were cared for and to talk with people who use the service.

Longfield - formerly the Cotswold Care Hospice - provides specialist services for people living with a life-limiting illness in Gloucestershire 365 days a year.

The CQC rated the charity’s care as “outstanding” and its services “good” overall.

In the report, inspectors said: “People spoke highly about the care Longfield provided, using such words as exceptional, brilliant and astonishing.

“They told us they were well cared for by staff who knew them well and who supported them in a caring and dignified way.

“People felt that they were listened to and that they were involved in the process of organising their care.”

One relative told the inspectors: “I can't praise the carers enough. Their actions made her comfortable. Even when she was very ill and nearing the end of her life they still made her smile”.

Inspectors said that people using all of Longfield’s services felt safe because “they were surrounded by staff who understood their needs and knew how to support them physically, mentally and emotionally”.

People using the care home said they had been involved in making decisions about their care and support and that their choices had been respected.

“When care at home was discussed we were fully involved. When anything changed we were consulted and things were agreed. We felt part of it,” one family told inspectors.

Another said: “The quality of care and compassion is top notch.”

The charity employs 135 staff who are supported by more than 350 volunteers who help provide care.

In the past year Longfield had 895 new referrals from people for its services which are all provided free of charge.

Longfield chief executive Andrew Fletcher said: “We are delighted that the CQC has recognised the high quality of the services we provide for people in Gloucestershire.

“It is very welcome recognition of our extraordinary team of dedicated staff and volunteers, who go the extra mile every day.

“We pride ourselves on understanding what the individual patient and their family needs and tailoring our care to help them live well, and have the right care and support at the end of life.

“It is reassuring that the CQC recognises that, by putting patient views at the heart of our care, we are responsive and able to meet their needs.”