Double Gold Award For Braintree Care Homes

An Essex care home has received a national award for the quality of its care for residents in the later stages of their lives.

The New Deanery in Braintree is following in the footsteps of its sister nursing home, St Mary’s Court, which received the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) award in September.

Both homes are run by Sonnet Care Homes, which becomes the largest operator in the area with 100% GSF accreditation.

Julia Clinton, Sonnet’s Chief Executive Officer, said: “These awards recognise the outstanding commitment of our entire team to the dignity, independence and personal choices of our residents.

“Our staff consistently place residents at the heart of everything we do, consulting with them and supporting them to make their own decisions.”

St Mary’s Court Care Home became the first in Braintree to be commended by the GSF last autumn.  The national accreditation recognises the organisation and quality of end of life care, leadership quality and the dignity and respect afforded to residents.

To qualify for the GSF Quality Hallmark Award, the homes 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 called ‘Going for Gold’.

Julie Armstrong Wilson from GSF said: “The New Deanery has demonstrated strong leadership and commitment to providing compassionate, dignified care for all its residents according to their wishes and preferences. The home maintains good communication links with primary care and enables the residents to maintain their links outside of the home and the wider community.”

The New Deanery’s award lasts for three years. 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.