18th January 2012

BRIDPORT: Local care home achieves gold

The Homestead – a privately owned 13 bed residential home on West Bay Road – has achieved the Gold Standard Framework (GSF) accreditation for end of life care with Commended Status.

Only four other nursing and residential homes in Dorset have achieved the accreditation.

The GSF Care Homes Accreditation process, ‘Going for Gold’ – supported by Age UK and endorsed by all four major care homes organisations (NCA, NCF, ECCA and RNHA) – ensures objective and independent quality assurance for those homes that have undertaken the GSF training programme and can demonstrate full integration of the work into their home.

It encourages a consistency of standards, locally adapted to ensure that care homes are more likely to “keep the gold, gold”.

The Homestead has been through an exciting two year process of workshops, conferences, and courses culminating in the production and submission of a portfolio for assessment.

Every member of staff was involved along with residents and many past and present relatives contributing and supporting the home from the outset.

This has enabled the team to embed the GSF process as part of the normal routine. The accreditation equips homes to provide exceptional levels of care for the elderly, with the mantra “living well until you die”.

The Homestead is grateful to the high level of input and support from GPs, the community matron, community nurses, Bridport and Dorchester hospitals, the Community Rehabilitation Team and local clergy including Phillip Ringer, Bridport Community Hospital Chaplain.

The Homestead’s success is attributed, firstly to their GSF facilitator Chris Elgar – who has helped, encouraged and guided the process with great enthusiasm and professionalism – and the home’s excellent and passionate team.

Many have been employed at The Homestead for many years, all have an NVQ 2, 3 or 4 in care and have an enormous commitment to continue to deliver a very high standard of care.

Thanks also went to Chris Butler, Computer Operations Manager, for his technical assistance throughout the process.

Sue Butler (proprietor and manager), and her team are now embarking on aiding Bridport Community Hospital staff, and other local care homes starting the accreditation, to implement and achieve the Gold Standard in end of life care.

BRIDPORT: Local care home achieves gold

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