Hospice earns excellent report card

Cranford Hospice has turned things around. Photo / File

Cranford Hospice has received three excellence ratings from the Ministry of Health for its quality and service delivery processes.

The ratings were received after auditing company DAA Group tested Cranford against the Health and Disability Sector standards.

The auditors commented on the great improvements they have seen over the past five years.

In 2010 Cranford was closed to in-patient care following an audit into its care standards and staffing trouble. The audit found no issue with medical treatment but it did discover a number of potential risks to patient care connected with the running and environment of the organisation.

Helen Blaxland, who was general manager at North Haven Hospice in Whangarei for more than 12 years, was shoulder-tapped by the Ministry of Health on behalf of Cranford's trust board.

In the latest auditor's report, staff and management were commended for a visible commitment to quality and a high standard of palliative care.

With Cranford in a good state it was "time to pass the baton on" and resign, Ms Blaxland said.

"The waka has a great crew and can confidently paddle on into the future," she said.

"There are many exciting plans for the continuing development of palliative care services for Hawke's Bay and the foundations are secure for these."

Greater partnerships with the community - not just health providers - were essential "because dying isn't just a health issue, it's about societies and how we value each other".

"We are all dying, it's just when and how."

Cranford Board of Trustees chair Hayley Anderson said Ms Blaxland was instrumental in raising Cranford to its level of excellence and created a great team at the hospice.

"The Board are very pleased with having such a positive audit result that gives our community confidence in their hospice and in the reputation it has nationally," she said.