Springhill shines even brighter with Beacon Status
Dedicated Springhill Care Home staff were jubilant to discover their sensitive approach to end of life care had earned them coveted Beacon status from the NHS and Age UK backed Gold Standards Framework Centre in May.
And it wasn't just because the entire workforce was rewarded by Management with a surprise cash bonus in their pay packets!
The highly prestigious award is the first to be gained in East Lancs and placed Springhill in an elite band of only 29 homes nationwide to achieve the accolade for the way residents are enabled to die with dignity.
Former Manager Kath Parkinson, who introduced the new quality initiative to the home's entire workforce 18 months previously, admitted she was thrilled to receive the news on her last day in sole charge.
But she stressed: Whats really important is ensuring our residents have what they want and need at the end of their lives to make the process of dying as comfortable and peaceful as possible. Not just for their sakes but for their families and friends who may be frightened and distressed as well."
Since being chosen by local Macmillan nurses to pilot the GSF scheme in East Lancs in November 2008, Springhill has reduced the number of residents admitted to hospital when terminally ill by a third.
Kath added: "Most people would like to end their days at home. For residents, this is their home and they feel exactly the same. They want to be in a familiar environment surrounded by people they've grown to know and trust rather than strangers in hospital. To have enabled more of our residents to do this, fulfilling their final wishes, is the real achievement."
The home's entire 84 strong workforce has undergone GSF training including cleaners and cooks as well as nursing and care staff. Apart from their enthusiasm for the job, one of the things that struck assessors were the level at which everyone had been involved.
Chef Karen Fairclough even devised a special complementary 24 hour hot meal and snack menu for relatives who may be spending final days with residents. She said: "I think it's important families know they're not forgotten at such an emotional time. I'd know I'd welcome a little extra care if I were in that position. Since the training, we all feel a little bit more involved and winning Beacon status has sent staff morale sky high - especially when we opened our pay packets to find a surprise financial bonus as well.
Everyone likes to feel appreciated."
Kath added: "Ensuring the people we've cared for die well is not just about providing the right medical care. In those final days, domestic staff will be going in and out of their rooms as well as cooks who have to cope with dietary changes. Everybody plays a part in that peaceful goodbye process. "
"Right from the start everyone's pulled together brilliantly and gained confidence in all aspects of dealing well with dying. "
Those who are terminally ill are asked where they want to die and relatives are given a booklet offering practical advice on coping with the final hours and days. Staffssit down together as a team after every death to reflect on the experience in order to develop best practice.
The home was inspected by Macmillan nurses, who spent half a day chatting to staff, in April before recommending it for the Beacon award which was presented to Ken Nolan and Kath Parkinson at a prestigious ceremony in Birmingham on June 30.
Springhill's newly appointed General Manager Anne-Marie Potter said: "One of the things that attracted me to Springhill was its commitment to this end of life care initiative. I am immensely proud to be part of such a great team and am very much looking forward to helping to maintain Beacon standards."
End of Life Care Lead for NHS East Lancs Community Health Services Erin Bolton said: "I am so proud to have worked with Springhill on achieving Beacon status. This is a first for East Lancs and recognition of the wonderful care staff give. Their enthusiasm has impressed me no end. Well done!"
To view the article on the Carehome.co.uk website click on this link
Please find attached the National GSF Summer Bulletin & The National GSF Centre Overview documents -(Click on the PDF files under the photograph, top right) thank you.
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