THE Morecambe Bay hospitals trust has become one of just two in the country to be awarded ‘gold standard’ status for providing end of life care.

Ward 23 at the Royal Lancaster Infirmary achieved the highest level in the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Quality Hallmark Award for the way it helps patients with advanced, progressive or incurable illness to live as well as possible until they die.

Staff from the ward travelled to London yesterday (Friday) to accept their award from Professor Sir Mike Richards, chief inspector of hospitals at the Care Quality Commission, during the 11th bi-annual GSF conference and awards ceremony.

The only other trust in England to achieve the gold standard in end of life care is the Royal Devon and Exeter Foundation Trust.

Alison Scott, end of life care lead nurse at University Hospitals of Morecambe Bay Trust (UHMBT), said: “This is such an important achievement by the whole team and it’s great that all our hard work has been recognised by the GSF Centre and the British Geriatrics Society.”

Dr Pradeep Kumar, stroke consultant at Royal Lancaster Infirmary, said: “I think

the biggest change has been the culture change. It’s about getting patients and their families to take ownership of their care.

"GSF is the framework that allows us to make that happen. The best bit is making sure that patients receive the care they want, where they want it, when and how they want it and the satisfaction they and we get from that.”

Sue Smith, UHMBT's executive chief nurse, said: “I’d like to congratulate Alison Scott, Judy Eyres and Samantha Salisbury who have driven it through with the support of Patricia Atkinson and also the medical team on Ward 23 on their success.

“This is a superb result for our Trust and shows that we are listening and acting on

previous CQC recommendations."

The GSF is the UK’s leading provider of training for generalist health and social care professionals working in end of life care and their award is supported by the British Geriatrics Society.