St Joseph’s Hospice has come up trumps with a “good” rating from the care watchdog – a turnaround after last year’s “requires improvement” grade.

Care Quality Commission inspectors who visited the Mare Street hospice in July were told by patients and their relatives that the hospice provided “excellent care”, and that staff were “caring, kind and compassionate”. One relative said: “Happiness is seen as a major part of care”, while another added: “Staff give everything to their job”.

An inspection in July 2015 rated the hospice as generally “requiring improvement”, and recommendations were made to improve the culture amongst staff, on whistle blowing and on management of medicines.

The latest report published last month found the service is now “good” overall, however leadership still “requires improvement”.

Bosses are due to discuss claims made during the inspection of a “bullying culture” where some staff don’t feel safe speaking out, at a public health meeting at the Town Hall tonight.

According to the report, whistleblowers apparently felt they would be bullied if they raised concerns about their treatment from other staff, and that they would not be supported by management if they spoke out.

The report reads: “While we were carrying out the inspection we received several whistle blowing concerns that there was still a bullying culture among staff at the hospice,” but adds: “Staff spoken to directly while we were inspecting the hospice said this was not an issue and felt supported by management.”

Chief exec Nigel Harding is “delighted” with the overall “good” rating.

“Nevertheless, we are disappointed that the report says one aspect of our work requires improvement, especially when it acknowledges the significant amount of work we have done on team culture,” he said.

“St Joseph’s Hospice is committed to continuous improvement and we are aiming for an ‘outstanding’ rating in all areas in our next CQC inspection.”

The hospice provides end of life and palliative care for 61 people at its main site and about 350 people in the community.