The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) aims to deliver training and support that brings about individual and organisational transformation, enabling a ‘gold standard’ of care.

The GSF is the most comprehensive programme ever introduced to enhance end of life care in hospitals and care homes and it aims are to improve the quality, coordination and organisation of care. Since it started in 2004 almost 1500 homes have undertaken the training. It is endorsed by all the major care home organisations and supported by Age UK.

Northwood is the only care home in the Blackburn with Darwen area to have been selected for GSF accreditation and the training for our staff began in 2010.

The GSF is a systematic evidence based approach to optimising the care for patients nearing the end of life delivered by generalist providers. It is concerned with helping people to live well until the end of life and includes care in the final years of life for people with any end stage illness in any setting.

The training programme is a three stage quality assurance programme and by implementing improved coordination and better organisation GSF helps care homes deliver better patient outcomes in line with their needs and preferences.

The National GSF Centre is the national training and coordinating centre for all programmes, enabling front line staff to provide quality care for people nearing the end of life, whatever their illness, wherever the setting. It aims to support best implementation of GSF in all settings, using a common framework and tool-kit of resources.

The GSF promotes the need to constantly listen to the patient and carers' needs and thoughts, helping them think ahead with the use of Advance Care Planning discussions, organising and pre-planning care in response to these needs, and at all times treating people in our with due respect and dignity.