ICU, Syringa Ward, Sage Ward, Sycamore Ward and the Margaret Centre were all recognised by the Gold Standards Framework, a charity which campaigns for dignity and compassion in end-of-life care
Five wards at Whipps Cross Hospital have received a national award recognising the end-of-life care they provide to patients and families.
The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) is a registered charity that aims to ensure every person in the UK can live well before they die and die well in the place and manner of their choosing.
Its Hallmark Award has been awarded to ICU, Syringa Ward, Sage Ward, Sycamore Ward and the Margaret Centre following an assessment of how they support people approaching the end of life with dignity, compassion and respect.
A standout success was the ICU, which Barts says has spent the past two years making improvements “to ensure patients and their loved ones receive personalised, compassionate care during some of life’s most difficult moments”.
One of the changes introduced by the team was making conversations about people’s wishes and priorities a more routine part of care.
The team also introduced “I Am a Person” boards, helping staff get to know patients beyond their medical condition and “see the person behind the patient”.
Paloma Carretero Corchado, matron for the ICU, said: “We have made several small changes that have had a big impact on making the environment feel more welcoming and creating a space where people and their families feel more settled and supported during difficult conversations.”
The award also recognises the “strong teamwork, communication and compassion” demonstrated across all five departments.
Shanthini Avorgbedor, end-of-life care education facilitator, said: “Achieving GSF accreditation requires commitment, collaboration and a shared vision. It has been inspiring to see teams from different professions working together so effectively. This award is a testament to their dedication to providing outstanding end-of-life care.”
The accreditation is reviewed every three years to ensure high standards continue to be maintained, giving patients and families confidence that excellent care is consistently being delivered.
Following this success, Whipps Cross hope to extend the programme to more wards and clinical areas, helping ensure even more patients and families benefit from high-quality end-of-life care.
The teams will be formally recognised at the GSF Hallmark Awards Ceremony in Birmingham on Tuesday, 22nd September.
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