Providing dignity and respect during end of life care

Hartford Care is committed to providing the best possible care for its residents, right up until the end of their lives.

To this end, Woodlands House in the New Forest is the holder of a major national award, Beacon Status of the Quality Hallmark Award from the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Centre, the largest provider of training in end of life care for health and social care professionals.

The Award is given to homes that demonstrate real improvement in the quality of care they provide. Homes must achieve a range of quality standards, including leadership and support, dignity and respect, as well as submit a portfolio of evidence demonstrating that the changes that they have undertaken are truly embedded in the care they provide residents and their families.

All aspects of their lives are considered including spiritual beliefs, personal interests and care preferences. Staff talk to the residents about their end of life care, giving them the opportunity to make decisions and outline their preferences. This has helped the residents and their families feel secure that they will be comfortable, and their wishes are always considered.

Lisa Sellens, Woodlands House’s Registered Manager, explains the benefits of the training.

“We have seen wonderful benefits thanks to the training. We have reduced hospital admission by half, reduced hospital deaths and faster discharges. Using the coding system ensures that we reflect on the different needs of our residents, so we can approach the delicate subject of death, in a bespoke and sensitive way.  We are using best practice to prepare and to ensure everything is in place to ensure every passing is peaceful, dignified and in a location of their choosing.”

She adds: “I hope this award demonstrates the care and attention that we invest to support end of life care. I decided to undertake the training to help our residents during the sunset of their lives. I wanted to ensure that they pass away with dignity, respect, and without pain, according to their wishes.”

More information about woodlands House can be found here