Gold Standards Framework revised to enable more care homes to gain end-of-life accreditation

Care homes can now undertake more flexible training in end-of-life care following the creation of three new programmes by the Gold Standards Framework (GSF).

The framework, which set up its care home pathway in 2004, provides nationally recognised training in end-of-life care to a range of frontline professionals.

It aims to improve the quality of care for service users and carers and enable more people to live and die where they choose, as well as reducing unnecessary hospital admissions and promoting more joined-up working in health and social care.

In the original ‘gold’ programme, providers complete a series of six workshops and submit a portfolio of evidence to the GSF over an 18-month period, before receiving full accreditation.

The new pathways, which have been set up in an attempt to meet the needs of a greater number of homes, offer virtual learning or more intensive in-a-day workshops to support staff to complete aspects of the training.

Speaking at the celebration of a decade of the framework’s care homes programme last week, former care minister Paul Burstow said: “With the number of older people in residential care expected to rise significantly in the coming years, it is important now more than ever that all homes should have the tools to provide all their residents with quality, personalised care.

“I would urge all care home providers to strongly consider the GSF training programme to ensure their residents receive the care they deserve as they approach the end of their lives.”