Families in Ayrshire have praised the 'excellent' care given to loved ones with life-limiting conditions by one of Ayrshire's best known charities.

The praise features in a Care Inspectorate report on Ayrshire Hospice's 'respite and response' service - with the watchdog describing the charity's support for people's wellbeing as 'excellent', the highest grade possible.

The service's leadership, staff team and planning of care and support were also described as 'very good' in the report.

The service is being co-ordinated from a hub in the grounds of Ailsa Hospital while the hospice's own facility in Ayr's Racecourse Road undergoes a major redevelopment.

Cumnock Chronicle: People raise thousands of pounds for the charity every year.People raise thousands of pounds for the charity every year. (Image: NQ Archive)

Inspectors said they found "major strengths" in all categories.

Strengths included how well staff care for and understand the needs of their services users.

Staff were described as "fantastic", "caring" and "excellent".

In their report, the inspectors said: "Highly skilled staff deliver outstandingly high quality care and support that has a significant, positive impact on the experiences and personal outcomes of people using the service.

"The people we spoke to praised the R&R service highly and said that staff had a positive impact on their lives, delivering support strongly reflective of the Health and Social Care Standards (HSCS) principles of dignity, compassion and respect.

"We met with professional, knowledgeable and caring staff who demonstrated strong values and a genuine desire to provide the best possible support to patients and their families."

One family member told inspectors: "I can't explain how good they were. They will reassure you but tell you the truth. I didn't have to worry any more.

"They took the pressure off and allowed me to concentrate on [family member]."

Another added: '"They involved (family) and if we didn't have something they got it.

"They also asked how we were and if we needed anything when they were there.

Cumnock Chronicle:

"This meant that Mum was able to remain at home as without this she would have needed to go into the hospice or hospital.

"I am so pleased that Mum was able to remain at home and there is nothing else they could have done".

The inspection added that staff also "appreciated the importance of delivering person-centred care" and reflected this approach in the way they promoted meaningful involvement and dynamic goal setting.

Staff were very skilled in recognising different phases of a patient's illness, including dying and the action to be taken in response, according to the report.

Another grateful family member told inspectors: "Mum wanted to stay at home so they arranged a hospital bed and a syringe driver.

"They sorted it all and, apart from the GP, all the services were joined up and talked to each other.

"When they realised we needed help it was all done quickly.

"They were present and focused on Mum when they were there."