A specialist dementia care home in Wellington run by Camelot Care has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end-of-life care during the pandemic.

The Award, which recognises health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final year of life, were presented at the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Conference and Awards ceremony in London earlier this month.   

Camelot House and Lodge is one of just 75 care homes, hospitals, hospices, primary care practices, retirement villages, and domiciliary care agencies, that received the prestigious GSF quality hallmark across the country during the ceremony.

The Gold Standards Framework Centre provides expert training for frontline staff in health and social care, to enable a ‘gold standard’ of care for people nearing end-of-life.

Before the pandemic hit, GSF provided face-to-face workshops, but have successfully adapted and moved online to adhere to COVID-19 regulations. The training has been a huge success and has supported both families and patients to discuss end-of-life care planning and what matters to them.

Paul Teasdale, director of Camelot Care, said: “At previous inspections in 2013, 2016 and 2019 the home also passed with flying colours, and we were awarded the top grade at the last inspection as well as this one.

“This fourth accreditation is evidence of an exceedingly strong long-term commitment and genuine dedication and is such a reassurance for the families of our residents about the quality of the care we provide.

“Huge congratulations to our home manager Sam Paddon and her team - we are so proud of them.” 

Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Lead Nurse for GSF said: “Congratulations to all organisations that have successfully achieved accreditation and reaccreditation.

“The last two years have been an incredibly difficult time for all health and social care providers and taking the time to complete their GSF accreditation is to be commended.

“Good quality end-of-life care has never been more important, especially due to the impact of the pandemic we have all faced.

“Witnessing so many centres signing up to learn more and gain GSF accreditation so they too can support people at the end of life is fantastic to see.”

To find out more about the Gold Standards Framework, visit https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/ or for Camelot Care see www.camelotcare.co.uk

Photo caption: L-R Ann Vaughan (administrator at Camelot House and Lodge), Alison Southcott (CHL’s GSF clinical lead) and David Weller (training and quality of care manager for CHL)