A much-loved hospice for children and young adults is celebrating getting the top rating from inspectors.

The Care Quality Commission (CQC) has graded Naomi House & Jacksplace as Outstanding.

Naomi House & Jacksplace are hospices providing expert care and support for children and young adults and their families.

As a charity, based just outside of Winchester, they care for more than 500 families every year - including many from Southampton.

The assessment had five categories, and the hospices were rated ‘Outstanding’ in being Caring and Responsive; with Effective, Safe and Well-led receiving a ‘Good’ evaluation.

They were graded as Outstanding overall.

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Mark Smith, CEO at Naomi House & Jacksplace, said: "I am delighted that, as a team, we have maintained our 'Outstanding' rating from the Care Quality Commission.

“This achievement is a testament to our unwavering commitment to providing exceptional palliative care and support for children, young adults and their families.

“It reflects our charity’s Vision, where compassionate support and expert palliative care can be accessed when and where it is needed.”

He went on to say: “It also supports our strategy: to reach more families and develop our services, and to collaborate with the healthcare system – in partnership.

“We will do this to ensure that Naomi House & Jacksplace continue to have a positive impact on the communities we serve. Together, we’re all looking forward to building on this success."

The recent publication of the report follows the inspection in November 2023.

Erika Lipscombe, director of Naomi House & Jacksplace, commented: "I recently joined the team at Naomi House & Jacksplace and I know just how hard it is to maintain a CQC rating of ‘Outstanding’.

“It fills me with pride to be welcomed into a supportive team that displays such remarkable dedication and compassion.”

The level of care that Naomi House & Jacksplace provides typically costs over £8m a year – much of that coming from donations – with approximately 12 per cent coming from government funding.

Andy Meehan, Chairman of the Board of Trustees, added: “We set high standards and we work diligently and collaboratively towards our mission of providing outstanding, compassionate, expert care.”