Abbeyfield Alnwick, a residential care home and part of Abbeyfield Northumbria, has been nationally recognised for providing exceptional end-of-life care, having achieved the prestigious Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award.
The award celebrates Abbeyfield Alnwick’s commitment to ensuring residents receive compassionate, person-centred care during the final stages of life and for the support given to families through that journey.
To achieve the award, four members of staff at Abbeyfield Alnwick undertook extensive end-of-life care training over an eight-month period, developing a detailed portfolio of evidence that was submitted to the GSF for assessment. Following a comprehensive review and on-site inspection, the care home successfully met all the criteria to be awarded the national Gold Standard.
The GSF assessors praised Abbeyfield Alnwick for its dedication to quality and continuous improvement, noting that care homes achieving this award are recognised as national examples of best practice in end-of-life care.
Julie Armstrong-Wilson, chief operating officer for GSF, said: “We are delighted to congratulate all the organisations that have achieved accreditation and received the Quality Hallmark Award this year. The quality of care and the compassionate cultures we have seen are truly inspiring, reflecting a deep commitment to ensuring people receive the right care at the right time, making a real difference to them and their families, proving that generalist services can and do provide good palliative and end-of-life care.
“These organisations exemplify the Gold Standards Framework standards by listening to what matters most to each individual and delivering care in line with their goals, wishes and preferences.
Supporting our ageing population to live and die well is so important. Our award winners are leading the way in demonstrating what good end-of-life care looks like.”
The Gold Standards Framework is the UK’s leading quality improvement programme in end-of-life care, recognising organisations that deliver consistent, high-quality, dignified care for people nearing the end of life. Abbeyfield Alnwick’s accreditation will last for three years, with the opportunity to apply for Platinum status in 2028.
Deputy Manager, Kerrie Riddell, and senior carer, Debbie Collins, accepted the award at this year’s GSF Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony, held at the Eastside Rooms in Birmingham. The ceremony celebrated 172 organisations across the UK recognised for excellence in end-of-life care, including care homes, domiciliary care agencies, hospital wards, retirement villages and hospices.
In recognition of the importance of supporting both residents and their loved ones, Abbeyfield Alnwick has also created a dedicated family room designed to offer comfort and privacy for families staying close to relatives at the end-of-life. The room includes an en-suite bathroom, wi-fi and tea and coffee making facilities, providing a calm and supportive space during difficult times.
Deputy Manager, Abbeyfield Alnwick, Kerrie Riddell, said: “We are incredibly proud to have achieved the Gold Standards Framework Award. It is a reflection of the commitment and compassion our team shows every day. The training and assessment process was rigorous but it has strengthened our skills and confidence in supporting residents and families through one of the most important stages of life.
“Our new family room is part of that commitment, giving families the chance to stay close and be together in comfort. It also provides them with the opportunity to have direct contact with our care providers, so they can be emotionally supported and reassured that their loved one is being cared for with dignity and respect.”