A Kent hospice described as a “shining example” in palliative and end-of-life care has been rated outstanding for the second time.

The Pilgrims Hospice’s Ashford site was awarded the rating following a visit from the Care Quality Commission (CQC) in May.

Inspectors from the government watchdog praised compassionate staff who go “above and beyond” to make patients’ final days full of “peace, comfort and meaning”.

The CQC’s deputy director of operations in Kent, Serena Coleman, said: “At Pilgrims Hospice Ashford, we found a service providing exceptional, person-centred care where compassion, dignity and respect are at the heart of everything staff do.

“People told us that staff had transformed their experience of end-of-life care, turning what could have been a time of fear and sadness i

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