A BIG thank you has been issued to the thousands of Dorset residents who support Weldmar - and have helped it prove 'outstanding' care. 
The hospicecare trust has received a glowing report from the Care Quality Commission. 
Inspectors found that patients and their families 'received outstanding care from exceptional staff and volunteers who developed positive, caring and compassionate relationships with them. 
'The service promoted a culture that was caring and person centred. Staff worked together as a multidisciplinary team to provide seamless care.'
The service was rated 'outstanding' in the 'effective', 'caring' and 'responsive' categories and 'good' in the 'safe' and 'well-led' categories, giving it an overall 'outstanding' rating. 
Inspectors added: 'People were partners in their care, and were consulted and involved in decisions about their care and treatment. They were asked about where and how they would like to be cared for when they reached the end of their life. Staff treated them with the utmost sensitivity, dignity and respect. 
'The hospice offered an array of bereavement services. In particular, a child support worker was doing innovative work, to provide individual support for children and young people facing bereavement. They worked with schools, district nurses and with child and adolescent mental health services to ensure more children received bereavement support. 
'People received exceptionally personalised care which responded to their individual needs and preferences. Staff used a range of creative ways to help people to manage some of their symptoms and to promote as good a quality of life as possible.' 
The work of Weldmar is provided thanks to the fundraising efforts of local people; 75 per cent of its funds come from fundraisers and donations. 
There are a number of annual events which help to fund care, including the Midnight Walk, Strictly Weldmar and Weldmar Colour Run. 
It costs £500 a day for the hospice to look after one inpatient.
Caroline Hamblett, Chief Executive of Weldmar Hospicecare, said: "Patients are at the heart of all that Weldmar does. We’re proud and privileged to provide end of life care to support Dorset.
“We receive very generous support in return. We could not provide our care without local people and I’d like to take this opportunity to thank everyone who helps make Weldmar so special; our volunteers, all of our staff, fellow healthcare professionals and supporters”.
The full report can be found at cqc.org.uk. For more about Weldmar, visit weld-hospice.org.uk