END OF LIFE CARE REACHES GUARDIAN AWARDS FINALS

Innovative end of life care training for care home staff has secured Anchor Trust a place in the finals of The Guardian newspaper’s Public Services Awards.

The project, which has transformed the way the subject of death is approached in care homes, has been nominated in the Care of Older People category of the prestigious awards. Anchor’s National Care Specialist Team developed an End of Life Care training course with Professor Malcolm Johnson from the International Institute of Health and Ageing.

One of the principle objectives of the course was to remove the taboo surrounding death and dying. The team recognised that there was a great deal of practical help and information as well as emotional support it could give residents; whether discussing funeral arrangements, palliative care or any concerns residents might have about the end of their lives.

Homes are now offering palliative care to residents, ensuring wherever possible that they can remain in familiar and comfortable surroundings, cared for by staff they know.

Each home has been encouraged to take an individual approach to implementing the training. After consultation with residents, some homes hold memorial services so that residents, often too infirm to attend funeral services outside the home, and staff have the opportunity to say goodbye.

The winners of the finals will be announced on Tuesday 27 November 2007.

This is the second time this year the project has received a nomination for a national award. Anchor was nominated and went on to win the Excellence in Training category of the Independent Healthcare Awards on Wednesday 12 September.

Anchor Homes’ catering team won the same category in the awards last year.

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