Bridgwater Dementia Care Home Wins National Award for Outstanding Palliative and End of Life Care

Avalon Nursing Home in Bridgwater has been awarded a national Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for its delivery of end of life care during the pandemic with an impressive score of 56 out of a possible 57.

The award will be given as part of the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Virtual Awards on 11 November, which recognises health and social care providers delivering quality care in the final year of life.

Avalon is one of just 28 care homes, retirement villages, and domiciliary care agencies to receive the prestigious GSF quality hallmark across the country during the virtual 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 which they adapted and moved online to adhere to COVID-19 regulations. The training was a huge success, enabling both families and patients to discuss end of life care planning and what matters to them at the end of life.

Jessica Hawker, manager of Avalon Nursing Home, said: “Our guiding principle at Avalon is to support our residents as we would support members of our own families, so we always work incredibly hard to offer the highest standard of palliative and end of life care.

“Covid made everything more challenging in the care sector, so it is fantastic to receive this recognition for the amazing work my team do at Avalon.

“I am very proud that their care and compassion in delivering end of life care has been acknowledged in this way.”

Paul Teasdale, director of Camelot Care, said: “GSF accreditation is all about delivering compassionate and ethical care for the dying, and demands a very high level of commitment to the comprehensive, evidence-based quality improvement training programmes run by the national GSF centre.

“You only have one chance to get end of life care right, so this accreditation is a great reassurance for the families of our residents and reflects the genuine dedication of the Avalon team.”

Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Lead Nurse for GSF said: “Congratulations to all 10 organisations that have successfully achieved accreditation.

“The GSF team are so very proud of all our award winners, as there has never been a more important time to ensure we deliver quality end of life care. Well done!”