The Gold Standards Framework is the highest accreditation of care which can be awarded to care homes for end of life / palliative care. It is an industry recognised benchmark and coveted kitemark of excellence. It is awarded for exceptional nursing care, both for residents and in support of their families.
Our homes with Gold Standards Framework (“GSF”) accreditation
- Abberton, Colchester. Abberton has held Gold Standards Framework accreditation since 2017. In addition, Abberton was a regional winner at The 2018 Great British Care Awards.
- Newstead, Hereford. Newstead has held GSF accreditation since 2014 and has platinum status. In addition, Newstead had two nominations at The West Midlands Regional Great British Care Awards for 2018 and our senior nurse, Jan Wilson won for Palliative / End of Life Care.
- The Lawns, Worcester. The Lawns has GSF platinum accreditation. They have held GSF accreditation since 2013. In 2019, the home was nominated for GSF Care Home of the Year.
- Summerdyne, Worcestershire. Summerdyne has held GSF accreditation since 2015 , being awarded platinum status in 2018.
What accreditation means?
The Gold Standards Framework was established in 2000. The founders were Dr Keri Thomas, a GP and a multidisciplinary group of physicians and clinicians. They were all specialists in palliative care. Their approach was developed ” from the bedside not the boardroom’.
For more information about the GSF, click the link to their website http://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/
Launched in 2004, The GSF Care Home Training Programme is a specific programme of care and support for elderly residents as they near the end of their lives.
This Programme is recognised within the care industry by:
- all major care home organisations,
- the CQC (Care Quality Commission),
- NHS Choices, and
- care commissioners.
It is the leading and most successful quality improvement programme in the UK.
The Gold Standards Framework Quality Hallmark Award is given to accredited care homes, as a hallmark of excellence. This lasts for 3 years. Care homes which are re-accredited, showing sustained excellence in care, are known as GSF Platinum Homes.
The GSF training
Their mission statement is:
Our aspiration is to deliver training and support that brings about individual and organisational transformation, enabling a ‘gold standard’ of care for all people nearing the end of life.
The GSF’s aim: To provide the right care for the right patient, in the right place at the right time, everytime.
GSF is a systematic, evidence based approach to optimising care for all patients approaching the end of life. They run training programmes for front-line care providers, so they can best support residents and their families.
This person centred end of life care ensures:
- Residents wishes are met, with care planning discussions with residents and their families.
- There is compassion, dignity and respect with residents, their families and staff supported at every stage.
- Training and processes help identify stages of illness of residents, coding triggering actions and ensuring a continuum of care.
- The Framework practices reduce hospital admissions and deaths, hospital bed days and out-of-hours crises
- Residents experience top quality care. This extends to their families.
- Staff engage in more productive working relationships with GPs and other health and social care professionals.
Some of our comments from the Gold Standards Framework
“Relationship focused philosophy enhancing person-centred care.”
“Enthusiastic and passionate leadership.”
“Staff are supported, well developed and highly skilled in their roles. Everyone I spoke to seemed confident and happy.”
“The home makes every effort to connect with their local community making it a hub for inter-generational activity, fundraisers and social events.”
“Reflective practice is embedded throughout the whole team. There is a tangible interpersonal feel to the home with happy, interactive residents and families.”
“This home has had a new manager in place since January 2019, who has completely embraced GSF and is making a huge success of it. The principles of the framework were clearly embedded within the stable and committed staff team, but the new manager has injected the process with an innovative and creative approach.”