Care home’s got the golden touch

Stichell House resident Gladys Ferry with (left to right) Carole Sullivan, Margaret Clark, Julie Bradford and Sue Burke

A care home is celebrating after achieving a gold standard for the quality of its end-of-life care.

Stichell House, part of the Hospital of God in Greatham, has received prestigious commend status from the national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) in Care Homes Quality Hallmark Awards.

The status is awarded to care homes where staff have undergone extra training to improve the quality of end-of-life care they provide.

It means more people can end their days in a place they are familiar with rather than a hospital or hospice.

Margaret Clark, Stichell House manager and a framework co-ordinator, said: “We are delighted and proud to have been awarded this accreditation which recognises the high standard of care we strive to provide for those who live here.

“GSF has helped us formalise this and take our care to the next level, ensuring that residents enjoy their lives, receiving high quality care they want in their chosen place right up to the last days of their lives.”

Staff at Stichell House were mentored by Sue Burke, a Macmillan urse, to implement the programme.

Sue said: “Their level of success is to be commended and is due to the high level of commitment of all staff and the high level of care for all residents.

“They now join a national accredited group of care homes who deliver high standards of care.”

Carole Sullivan, also a GSF co-ordinator at Stichell House, added: “As a team we have grown in strength, knowledge and confidence since commencing the GSF.

“Our residents have benefited from our training and guidance obtained as they are able to fulfil wishes and preferences in relation to their care.

“We have a better relationship with all professionals as we are working together to avoid hospital admissions.”

Assistant manager Julie Bradford added: “I feel honoured that Stichell House is now part of the GSF and look forward to helping the team to maintain the standard achieved.”

The Hospital of God at Greatham was founded by the Bishop of Durham, Robert de Stichell, in 1273 to care for poor older people.

Professor Keri Thomas, GSF national clinical lead, said: “GSF has become recognised as the kite marked model of best practice for end-of-life care in care homes.”

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