Oakhaven Hospice in Lymington received a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) following an inspection on August 13, 2025.
It was rated ‘good’ overall and ‘outstanding’ for care, with inspectors commending its “exceptional” support for patients.
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Two of Oakhaven’s Nurses off to visit patients in the community. (Image: Oakhaven Hospice)
Andrew Ryde, chief executive of Oakhaven, said: “We are delighted with this excellent rating and would like to express our sincere gratitude to our dedicated staff and volunteers for their commitment, exceptional teamwork and positive outlook.”
The inspection was carried out under the CQC’s new Single Access Framework, which assesses hospices using the same standards as acute hospitals, rather than under health and social care settings as in previous inspections.
Melville Kendal, chair of trustees at Oakhaven, said: “Outstanding care comes from the people who provide it.
“On behalf of all the trustees, I would like to thank our wonderful family of staff and volunteers for their unwavering support and hard work.
“We are very proud of the whole Oakhaven team and of the highly positive rating provided by the CQC inspection.”
SEE MORE: Bournemouth care home achieves good rating after inspection
Oakhaven’s Inpatient Unit. (Image: Oakhaven Hospice)
The CQC report highlighted that feedback from patients, families and carers was “overwhelmingly positive”.
Patients commented about the staff treating them with kindness and dignity and providing effective care and treatment.
The report also noted that the service made reasonable adjustments for people with disabilities and communication difficulties.
It praised the hospice for treating people with “kindness, empathy and compassion,” and for promoting independence and choice in care.
Under the ‘safe’ category, inspectors found a “proactive and positive culture of safety” at the hospice.
Oakhaven provides palliative and end-of-life care to patients in the New Forest, Totton and Waterside areas.
Services are offered free of charge, but the hospice receives just 11 per cent of its £9m annual funding from the Government.
The remaining 89 per cent is raised through donations, legacies, fundraising, and income from its charity shops and social enterprise, Oakhaven Care.
The Government currently covers just 11 per cent of the hospice’s annual £9m running costs, with the remainder raised through donations, legacies, fundraising events and its charity shops.