POOLE’S Lewis-Manning Hospice has received a glowing report from the independent Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Inspectors from the CQC, who help regulate standards of care in hospices, hospitals, care homes, GP & dental surgeries, made an unannounced victim to the Crichel Mount Road hospice last month.

They found the hospice was complying 100 per cent across all of the standards it rates, including staffing, care & welfare of service users, safety and suitability of premises.

Hospice staff have now announced plans for a large recruitment drive to coincide with the opening of the centre’s first in-patient bedrooms in early 2014.

Lewis-Manning chief executive Elizabeth Purcell said: “The opening of rooms will also open up opportunities to form a new team. So many health care professionals have told us they would like to have more time with patients. At Lewis-Manning we are here to give just that – time to care.”

The CQC’s 17-page report, available to view through their website, also highlighted feedback inspectors received from patients at the hospice.

The report notes patients spoke highly of staff and described them as “having time to support me” while making them feel “safe and secure.”

On the recruitment drive, a hospice spokesman explained: “Lewis-Manning, which is currently celebrating its 21st anniversary, will open its first in-patient bedrooms in the first half of 2014 offering respite, rehabilitation and end of life care.

“We are preparing for a recruitment drive in January for clinical and non-clinical roles including nurses, healthcare assistants, catering staff, cleaning staff and retail managers.

“In addition the organisation will also be looking for people of all ages who can give up a bit of their time to fill a number of volunteers roles such as drivers, fundraisers, retail support, caring and hospitality.”

There will be three separate recruitment days in January, but anyone interested in working for them should register their interest first via the Lewis-Manning website, lewis-manning.co.uk, or by calling 01202 708 470.