Helen & Douglas House in Oxford rated outstanding by CQC

Helen & Douglas House in Oxford has retained the highest rating from the CQC, with inspectors visiting the hospice on November 11, 2025.

The hospice was rated outstanding in four out of five categories, an improvement on the previous inspection.

Sally Hayes, director of nursing and care, said: “I’m absolutely delighted that the CQC has rated us as ‘Outstanding’ once again.

“This rating reflects the care, kindness and professionalism our staff and volunteers show every day.

“I’m incredibly proud of our teams, especially our front-line colleagues who support children and families with such care and compassion.”

The CQC praised the hospice’s deeply caring culture and focus on putting children at the centre of care.

Inspectors found that children and young people were encouraged to take part in decisions about their care and noted the wide-ranging support offered to families throughout their journey, not just at end of life.

The hospice was also commended for its strong leadership and safety standards.

David Whittingham, chief executive officer of Helen & Douglas House, said: “This is an achievement we are very proud of.

“It feels especially important given the incredibly challenging environment we are facing, with rising costs, a lack of fair and sustainable Government funding and growing demand for our services.

“And yet, thanks to the compassion, dedication and expertise of our staff and volunteers, we continue to provide outstanding care for children and families across our local communities.”