Demelza, Hospice Care for Children - SE London (known as Demelza SEL) provides services for children and young people from birth to18 years old with life limiting conditions and their families. They provide residential short breaks for children for respite care and end of life care. They provide additional support services for the family. There were six residential places for children and young people. When we visited four children were receiving care and a total of 193 children and young people were using the service. The service was last inspected on 28 October 2013 when we found all of the regulations inspected were met.
The service has a registered manager. A registered manager is a person who has registered with the Care Quality Commission to manage the service. Like registered providers, they are ‘registered persons’. Registered persons have legal responsibility for meeting the requirements in the Health and Social Care Act 2008 and associated Regulations about how the service is run. The provider also runs a children’s hospice in Kent (Demelza Kent) and the registered manager is registered for both services. She had an office at each of the provider’s sites and spent time at both.
Children and young people who used Demelza SEL, and their families received care that was compassionate and kind. People felt the practical and emotional help they were given had an impact on their lives, both during their child’s illness and afterwards. Care was provided with regards for children’s privacy and dignity and parents’ roles were valued.
The staff were responsive to children and families’ individual needs and they were assessed and catered for. Care planning was on going so changes in children's conditions were addressed, There were therapeutic activities which children enjoyed and were suitable for their needs. The staff took into account the needs of the whole family and support was available for siblings and grandparents as well as parents. Groups were arranged for siblings to meet others in the same position.
The care provided was safe. Staff were knowledgeable about abuse and the action to take if they suspected children were at risk of harm. Medicines were managed well and children received them as prescribed. Staff recruitment made sure staff were suitable to care for children. The building was kept safe and well maintained.
Staff were trained and supported to do their jobs well. Children and young people were supported with their nutritional needs. Demelza SEL had effective relationships with hospitals and health professionals to ensure that children and young people’s needs were met without delay. This helped to minimise children and young people’s pain, discomfort and distress.
Staff were trained in the principles of the Mental Capacity Act 2005 (MCA). People’s rights were respected and when necessary decisions were made in children and young people’s best interests.
There were good management arrangements to check and ensure the on-going quality of the service. The provider kept in touch with developments in the field of paediatric palliative care.