St Mary’s Court Care Home has become the first in Braintree, Essex, to be commended by the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) for the quality of care it provides to residents in the last years of their lives.
The national accreditation recognises the organisation and quality of end of life care, leadership quality and the dignity and respect afforded to residents.
To qualify for the GSF Quality Hallmark Award, St Mary’s Court undertook an extensive GSF training programme over more than six months, then embedded this into the home over several months. The final stage was a rigorous accreditation process called 'Going for Gold’.
Julia Clinton, chief executive officer of Sonnet Care Homes, which also runs the neighbouring New Deanery Care Home in Bocking, says: “We are thrilled to have been commended by the GSF as it recognises the commitment of our entire team to placing our residents at the heart of everything we do, consulting with them and giving them the opportunity to outline their preferences and make their own decisions.”
Keri Thomas, GSF founder and clinical director, says: “St Mary’s Court has demonstrated not only a commitment to care for its residents according to their wishes right up until the end of their lives, but also put in place all of the measures required to ensure that it can actually provide that personalised, compassionate care.
“St Mary’s Court should be congratulated for putting gold quality care at the heart of what it does for all its residents.”
The award was presented at a ceremony in London and lasts for three years. The accreditation scheme is recognised by Care England, National Care Forum, National Care Association and Registered Nursing Home Association as well as by Skills for Care as an excellent provider.
The GSF scheme is proven to significantly reduce avoidable hospital admissions and ensures quality improvement, quality assurance and quality recognition for the homes involved. More than 750 homes from across the UK have now received the Quality Hallmark Award.
Pictured (left to right) Mandi Randall-Cramp, trainer; Joan Sirett, matron; Alison Mansfield, carer and Terri Pike, home manager
