Tŷ Hafan 'doing excellent job', says inspection report
Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, one of only two children's hospices in Wales, was assessed in October last year by a five-strong team from Healthcare Inspectorate Wales (HIW).
The inspection report, published in January, highlighted the "dedicated and skilled staff" at the hospice, as well as the "strong leadership" and "excellent culture."
The inspectors found that the hospice provided "individualised care" and "dignified care" to its patients, as well as "good quality, nutritious food" and "bespoke activities."
The hospice was also praised for its "excellent multi-disciplinary working" and "strong governance and audit programme."
The inspectors spoke to families who use the hospice, who said that Tŷ Hafan had given them "a quality of life again" and that they "don't know where we would be without them."
The families said that the hospice "only ever want the best for our children" and that "it feels like they are part of the family."
Irfon Rees, Tŷ Hafan's chief executive (Image: Ty Hafan)
Irfon Rees, Tŷ Hafan's chief executive, said: "HIW is the independent inspectorate and regulator of healthcare in Wales.
"Last October a five-strong team from HIW undertook a two-day on site planned inspection of Tŷ Hafan to assess the quality of our work.
"In January, HIW published 'Independent Healthcare Inspection Report (Announced) Tŷ Hafan Children's Hospice, Sully'.
"We shared the outcomes from this inspection with colleagues in February at our annual staff conference.
"At Tŷ Hafan, we're proud of what we do and how we do it and grateful that our continual striving to deliver the highest possible standards of care and support for all has been formally recognised by HIW.
"This latest HIW Inspection Report shows that families and professionals can have confidence in the services Tŷ Hafan provides, that we are committed to continuous quality improvement and that our staff are fulfilled and happy.
"Ultimately this report shows that Tŷ Hafan is doing an excellent job in providing care and support for children with life-shortening conditions and their families, and, it is a great organisation to work for.
"This is a testament to the hard work, dedication and care of all of my colleagues and I thank them all from the bottom of my heart."
However, Mr Rees said that the hospice is "not resting on our laurels" and that there is "so much more to do."
He said: "The publication in 2023 of our Prevalence and Complexity Report shows that currently we are only able to reach one in every ten children with a life-shortening condition who could benefit from our services.
"Tŷ Hafan's ambition is that when a child's life will be short, no family should have to live it on their own.
"We have so much more to do and I invite everyone to support us in whatever way they can so that we can reach every child and family who needs us."
The hospice provides specialist palliative care, addressing the physical, emotional, social, and spiritual needs of each family member.
From diagnosis to bereavement, Tŷ Hafan is there for the family as long as they need, through life, death, and beyond.
Tŷ Hafan offers families end-of-life care and services such as family support, complementary therapy, music therapy, and outreach play both within the hospice and in the family home.
A child and their family can be referred to Tŷ Hafan at the time of diagnosis, with care and support being provided throughout the course of the child's condition, which can be for many years.
The children and young people who access Tŷ Hafan's services suffer from a broad range of conditions, many with profound and complex medical needs.
Some of the conditions are so rare they haven't been named.
For more information and to make a donation, go to www.tyhafan.org.
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