Gold Standard Framework assessors call award winning care home 'Beacon for end life care'

Church View Care Home has won the first ever Care Home of the Year Award by the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Centre in recognition for its commitment to end of life care for residents.

The award was presented at the centre’s tenth annual conference which recognised over 100 care homes with awards to celebrate the high standard of end of life care they provide.

Described as a ‘Beacon for end life care’ by GSF assessors, Church View Care Home’s communication skills and dedication to giving personalised care right up until the end of residents’ lives meant the home was praised by assessors and selected for the award.

Maggie Stobbart-Rowlands, GSF lead nurse, said: “Church View is the ultimate example of a home that has implemented all of the key aims of GSF, communicating well with its residents, planning their care and coordinating it so that as many as possible receive the care they want, in their chosen place, the care home, right up until the end of their life.”

Since launching in 2004 to improve standards of end of life care in care homes, the GSF training programme has been completed by over 2,500 care homes in England and Wales. The GSF accreditation has been achieved by 450 care homes.

Training is provided to help social care professionals feel better equipped to deal with the changing needs of residents at the end of their lives and ensure carers know how to act with sensitivity and respect towards residents and their families.

Professor Martin Green, chief executive of Care England said: “The very best care, not only supports people to live well in care settings, but it also ensures that they have a good experience at the end of their life. We only get one chance to support people to have a good death, and it is so important to get this right, not only for the person we are caring for, but also for their family, friends and loved ones.

“The Gold Standards Framework gives staff the confidence, skills and resources to ensure that people receive the best possible end of life care that respects their wishes, support their families and gives them a dignified and peaceful death. The Gold Standards Framework has made a significant contribution to improving end of life care for thousands of people.”

Maggie Stobbart-Rowlands, GSF Lead Nurse, continued: “In the ten years since we launched the original GSF Care Homes Programme, homes have made huge strides in how they care for their residents as they approach the end of their lives.”