The Gold Standards Framework CIO

18/06/2026

Congratulations to all the team at Fernihurst Nursing Home on this wonderful achievement 🎉

The team at Fernihurst Nursing Home, Exmouth are celebrating an incredible achievement 🎉

They’ve been awarded the Chief Nurse Adult Social Care Team Award – a prestigious national recognition of their outstanding, person-centred care 💙

From dementia expertise to Gold Standards Framework accreditation in end-of-life care, the team continue to go above and beyond for residents and families every day.

Emily O’Hara, Director of Quality and Chief Nurse, shared how proud we are of this well-deserved recognition – a testament to the team’s dedication, compassion and professionalism.

👏 Congratulations to everyone at Fernihurst for making such a meaningful difference and for being at the heart of the Exmouth community.

16/06/2026

Do you see me?

This Learning Disability Week, the theme reminds us that people with a learning disability must be seen, heard and valued at every stage of life - including at the end of life.

At the Gold Standards Framework (GSF), we know that compassionate, person-centred care starts with meaningful conversations. Advance Care Planning helps ensure these conversations are accessible, tailored to the individual, and focused on what matters most to them.

For people with a learning disability, this is vital in end of life care - ensuring their voice is heard, their wishes are respected, and care reflects their values and preferences.

This week, let’s commit to making sure every person is seen, heard and valued - because everyone deserves care that reflects who they are and what matters to them.

You can find more resources and information about Learning Disabilities Week here: https://www.mencap.org.uk/learningdisabilityweek

10/06/2026

This Carers Week, we want to recognise and thank all carers for the vital role they play every day.

Whether caring for a family member, friend, neighbour, or supporting people through a professional role, carers provide time, compassion and practical support that makes a real difference.

If you are a carer, or supporting someone who is, there is a range of helpful information and resources available here: https://www.carersweek.org/about-carers-week/information-for-carers/

For professional carers working in health and social care, The Care Workers’ Charity provides support, advice and wellbeing resources, helping to ensure those who care for others have somewhere to turn when they need it: https://www.thecareworkerscharity.org.uk/

From everyone at GSF – thank you for all that you do.

09/06/2026

Did you know?

◽ 97% of GSF accredited care homes report improved care experiences.
◽ 95% report greater staff confidence and teamwork.

Quality improvement isn't just about compliance.

It's about creating environments where residents, families and staff all experience better outcomes.

That's what sustainable improvement looks like.

🔗 Read more: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/care-home-training/

05/06/2026

Every day, health and social care professionals support people and families through some of life's most challenging moments. But who supports the staff?

Our latest blog explores the connection between mindfulness, staff confidence, and high-quality end of life care. When staff feel supported, resilient, and confident in their roles, they are better equipped to provide compassionate, person-centred care to those who need it most.

At GSF, we know that investing in staff wellbeing is not an optional extra – it's a vital part of delivering excellent care. Evidence from organisations using GSF shows that increased confidence can improve job satisfaction, morale, communication, and the overall experience of care for people and families.

🔗 Read the full blog and discover why supporting staff wellbeing matters for everyone involved in care: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/mindfulnessandstaffconfidence/

04/06/2026

We're excited to be exhibiting at the National Advance Care Planning Day Conference on 1 July 2026 in Norwich.

Advance Care Planning is at the heart of delivering personalised, proactive care that respects what matters most to people. That's why we're proud to be part of a day dedicated to raising awareness, sharing best practice, and encouraging meaningful conversations about future care wishes.

This year's theme, Supporting People and Communities Who Are Marginalised, highlights the importance of ensuring everyone has the opportunity to make their preferences known and have their voice heard.

If you're attending the conference in person, please come and visit the GSF team. We'd love to meet you, share our free ACP resources, and discuss how the Gold Standards Framework supports high-quality advance care planning across health and social care.

📅 1 July 2026
📍 John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich
💻 Free virtual attendance available

For more information and tickets, visit: https://advancecareplanday.org/conference-2026/

We look forward to seeing you there.

03/06/2026

Join this important webinar from Our Duty of Care exploring how we can improve access to end of life care for all across the UK.

We're pleased to share that GSF Founder, Prof Keri Thomas OBE, will be presenting this webinar, bringing her extensive experience in end of life care, quality improvement and system-wide change.

📅 Monday 8 June 2026
🕗 8:00pm
💻 Online

If you're passionate about improving care for people approaching the end of life, this is a discussion not to be missed.

Register via the QR code or visit OurDutyOfCare.org.uk

01/06/2026

Better end of life care begins with identifying needs early.

At GSF, we know that improving end of life care starts with a proactive approach:
🔎 Identify people who may be approaching the final stage of life
📝 Assess their needs, priorities and concerns
💬 Plan ahead through meaningful conversations and Advance Care Planning

When we identify, assess and plan early, we create opportunities for:
✔️ Better coordinated care
✔️ More personalised support
✔️ Greater choice and control
✔️ Fewer avoidable crises and emergency admissions
✔️ Improved experiences for people and those important to them

Too often, end of life care planning happens when time and choices are limited. By recognising needs earlier and planning proactively, we can help people live well until they die and receive the right care, at the right time, in the right place.

To find out more about how GSF can help you provide better end of life care, take a look at the programmes we have on offer: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/

28/05/2026

What makes a real difference to end of life care in health and social care settings?

It often comes down to getting the fundamentals right:

✅ Identifying people earlier
✅ Planning care ahead of crisis
✅ Having open and compassionate conversations
✅ Working together as one coordinated team
✅ Supporting people and their families/carers

These are not “nice to have” elements of care - they are essential to delivering compassionate, person-centred support.

Structured quality improvement approaches such as GSF can help organisations strengthen communication, improve staff confidence, reduce avoidable hospital admissions, and help more people receive care in the place they choose.

What are the strengths within your organisation’s end of life care - and where is there still room to grow?

If you’d like to explore how GSF can support your team, find out more here: www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/

20/05/2026

We’re excited to be at The Primary Care Show over the next two days!

If you're attending, come and visit us at our exhibition stand to find out more about the new Primary Care Programme from the Gold Standards Framework, launching later this year.

We’ll also be speaking in the GP Clinical Theatre at 2.20pm on 21st May with our session: “One Chance to Get it Right - Can Primary Care Equip Itself to Help People to Live and Die Well in Their Last Year of Life?”. The session will explore the current landscape of palliative and end of life care in the UK, the challenges facing primary care teams, and how GSF can support a more proactive, coordinated and person-centred approach to end of life care.

If you’re attending, we’d love to connect and share what’s coming next for GSF in Primary Care.

Visit our website for more information: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/primary-care/