Gold Standards Framework

What is the Gold Standards Framework?

‘Aiming to achieve the best quality of life for residents particularly towards the end of life’

What is the Gold Standard Framework? Along with many care homes across the country, this home is working with residents, families and colleagues to develop improvements in the quality and organization of care for people approaching the end of their lives. As part of this process, this home has joined the National Gold Standards Framework in Care Homes Programme, supported by local facilitators, the National GSF team and other health care professionals.

There is an independent quality assurance process which recognises those homes that have undertaken the GSF training programme and who demonstrate full integration of the work into their home.

It’s a framework that enables a Gold Standard of Care for all people nearing the end of life. It helps us help provide the highest standard of care possible for not only our resident but also for their families as they face the last stage of their lives. We believe our residents deserve the best care that we can provide and this means a high quality, reliable and consistent standard –helping them to live well and die in the place and manner of their choosing. For many this means avoiding hospital admission in the final stages of their life, enabling them to die with dignity in the home, if that is their wish.

Part of the process involves gathering information as early as possible- whilst the resident is able to make a contribution. This is known as Advance Care Planning and this allows us to document the finer detail of what is important to an individual – such as religious and spiritual needs – getting in touch with an old friend, a favourite perfume, a bird feeder on a window or classical music and experiences that can make a difference in the final weeks and days of life.

Nazareth Lodge Residential Care Home, dedicated to providing the best possible care for all of its residents right up until the end of their lives, has been recognised with a major national award – for the second time.

To be accredited, homes have to achieve 20 quality standards, ranging from leadership and support to dignity and respect as well as submit a portfolio of evidence.

GSF Awards are presented to homes that demonstrate real improvement in the quality of care they provide. Many halve the number of their residents dying in hospital as well as halving crisis hospital admissions, leading to greater satisfaction for families, residents and staff and significant cost savings for the NHS. Everyone in the home, ranging from care assistants to the activities coordinator and cook, is involved in regular reviews with the residents.