Southampton care home receives Gold Standards Framework accolade

 

A care home in Southampton has been awarded a prestigious accreditation recognising its high standards of care for residents in the later stages of life.

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) accreditation has been awarded to Care UK’s Ancasta Grove, on Barnes Lane, highlighting exceptional nursing care for residents in their later years of life and support for their families.  

Developed in 2004, GSF is a practical and evidence-based end-of-life care service improvement programme. It is centred around ensuring people live well in the last years of their lives and pass away comfortably in the environment and manner of their choosing. 

Ancasta Grove achieved the accreditation after demonstrating how team members work closely with residents and their families to understand a person's wishes for their final days. By understanding and implementing these last wishes, the home can eliminate upsetting and unwanted hospitalisations – ensuring residents can pass away peacefully in the place they call home.

Team members also demonstrated their ability to work proactively with local GPs, primary care teams and specialists to provide seamless end of life care. Personal relationships are built with each and every resident to promote comfort and wellbeing, and family needs are also identified – with the home continuing to support relatives after their loved one has passed away. 

The assessment report reads: “It was clear that there is a compassionate culture within the home and this was confirmed through observation of the staff, who were friendly and demonstrated kindness and compassion towards residents.”

The report also praised the home’s holistic approach which ensures that all residents, at whatever stage of life, can find fulfilment. This includes offering a healthy diet and ensuring activities are individually tailored to need and ability – helping them to live well on their life journey. 

Audrey Chiduku, Home Manager at Ancasta Grove, said: “We’re humbled that our work to ensure residents live happy and fulfilled lives, especially in their final days, has been recognised through receiving this accolade. We would also like to appreciate the previous home manager Joel Ignacio, who has moved roles internally within Care UK, for all his hard work in driving the team to secure this prestigious award. 

“The team puts their all into delivering exceptional care for residents throughout their time with us at Ancasta Grove, ensuring each and every residents feel their wishes are respected. Our compassionate team ensures residents are treated with dignity and respect as well as offering practical and emotional support to families to help them through this difficult time.

“Our commitment to the best in end-of-life care runs through everything we do, from the handovers we have after every shift, to the regular meetings we have together and with residents and their loved ones, and to the ongoing training our colleagues undertake. We continually reflect on the way we provide care and look for new ways to improve our knowledge and ways of working.

“I’d like to thank all the team for their dedication as well as the residents and relatives that make Ancasta Grove a wonderful place to live. We look forward to continuing to deliver high-quality care across the board.”

Ancasta Grove has been designed to deliver the very best standards of care and to enable residents to live active and fulfilled lives. The home provides residential, nursing and specialist dementia care, as well as respite and end of life care, and is proud to be able to offer a ‘home for life’ if an individual’s needs change over time.