Maidstone care home achieves gold standard for palliative care

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

 

The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award has been presented to Care UK’s Invicta Court, on Gidds Pond Way in Weavering, highlighting exceptional end-of-life nursing care for residents 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.

The home achieved an outstanding score of 73/75, with the award ceremony taking place on 26th September.

Sara Barbosa, Home Manager at Invicta Court, said: “We’re humbled that our work to ensure residents live happy and rewarding lives, especially in their final days, has been recognised through receiving this accolade.

“The team puts its all into delivering exceptional care for residents throughout their time with us, making certain every resident feels 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.”

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

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 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.  

Ms Barbosa added: “Our commitment to the best in end-of-life care runs through everything we do, whether it’s the handovers we have after every shift, the regular meetings we hold together and with residents and their loved ones, or 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.”

Invicta Court offers permanent residential, dementia and nursing care, as well as short-term respite care, in luxurious surroundings, ensuring residents can lead active and fulfilling lives. The home boasts its very own café, hair and beauty salon, pub and cinema room, and the highly trained, professional team delivers an excellent standard of person-centred care.