Our hospice has been rated ‘Good’ following a comprehensive inspection by the CQC.

We have been praised for demonstrating ‘Outstanding’ practice with ‘staff going the extra mile’ in their care for children with life-limiting and life-threatening conditions.

The Woodford Green hospice was inspected earlier in March at the outset of COVID-19. The report published on Tuesday 28 April 2020 commended staff for ‘always treating children, young people and their families with compassion and kindness, respected their privacy and dignity and proactively took account of their individual needs.’

Eileen White, Director of Care at Haven House, said the good news was welcomed at such a time of worry and uncertainty.

We are extremely proud of the report. It is overwhelmingly positive and a testament to the entire team working together to deliver an outstanding quality service to the children and families we support. During such a difficult time it is good to be able to share some good news with our community who continue to support us.


This is a fantastic achievement as it is the first time, we have been inspected under a new stricter framework which aligns hospices to hospital inspections as opposed to social care inspections like nursing homes. 

Parents described staff as extremely caring and respectful to their child’s needs and could access the hospice when they needed it.

Family and carer feedback highlighted in the report included; “staff are very caring and always there to listen”, “they helped us make lots of memories”, “We would be lost without you”, “thank you for everything you did for us on our last night together, you made it very special” and “it would not have been possible without you”.

The report described the hospice’s ‘innovative’ and ‘holistic’ approach in providing care tailored to a child’s needs. This is evident now more than ever, as the charity continues to find ways to respond to the challenges presented by COVID-19. For example, the hospice has introduced virtual music therapy and play sessions.

The ratings awarded in the five key areas are:

Safe: Good

Effective: Good

Caring: Good

Responsive: Good

Well-led: Good

The full report can be accessed here.