A Braintree care home has been shortlisted for national Care Home of the Year after receiving top marks in its latest Gold Standard Framework (GSF) accreditation.
St Mary’s Court Care Home in Bocking is one of just six homes across the country on the shortlist after scoring 60 out of 60 and achieving platinum accreditation from the GSF, which recognises excellent end-of-life care, leadership quality and the dignity and respect afforded to residents.
The 90-bed St Mary’s Court Care Home provides specialist residential care for people with dementia and those who require nursing and end-of-life care.
Joan Sirett, Matron and clinical lead at St Mary’s Court, said: “I am so proud that all of the hard work the team puts into providing dignified end-of-life care for our residents has been recognised by this latest accreditation. We do all we can to ensure the family is looked after as well as their relative who is receiving end-of-life care.”
The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) is an evidence-based, systematic approach to formalising best practice through improving the organisation and co-ordination of care for all people in the final year or so of life.
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.
Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for the Gold Standards Framework CIC, said:
“St Mary’s Court has been able to demonstrate 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 achieving platinum status during a difficult time for care homes due to the pandemic, but also sustaining the standard of practice since their first Accreditation 3 years ago.”
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 demonstrates quality improvement, quality assurance and quality recognition for the homes involved.
The team at St Mary’s Court will find out if they have scooped the Care Home of the Year award in October, after the presentation of the GSF awards.
To find out more about accommodation and respite care at St Mary’s Court Care Home, please call 01376 328600, or visit www.stmaryscourt.co.uk. For more information about the GSF scheme see: www.goldstandardsframework.co.uk
