The Gold Standards Framework CIO

28/10/2026

Transforming end of life care in domiciliary care settings.

For people receiving care at home, good end of life care depends on confident staff, clear communication and understanding what matters most to each person.

Our GSF Domiciliary Care quality improvement programme helps teams build the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to provide person-centred end of life care.

Spring 2027 programmes are coming up. Could GSF help your homecare team? Register now: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/request-registration/

26/10/2026

Making a difference with Gold Standard End of Life Care.

Alex Gumbo from Bluebird Care Loughborough shares how GSF has transformed the way their team supports people receiving domiciliary care.

From recognising changes in people’s health and supporting advance care planning to helping families through difficult times, GSF gives care teams the knowledge and confidence to provide personalised, compassionate care that respects each person’s wishes.

As Alex explains, the team remains committed to ongoing training and using GSF to help people experience a safe, dignified end of life.

Celebrating excellence in domiciliary care: At the 2026 GSF Quality Hallmark Awards, four domiciliary care agencies achieved accreditation for the first time, and eight agencies achieved reaccreditation. This reflects the commitment of home care teams to continually improving end of life care and supporting people to remain in the place they call home.

Thank you to Alex and the whole team at Bluebird Care Loughborough for sharing their GSF journey and their commitment to making a difference.

22/10/2026

Join our Spring 2027 GSF Care Homes Programme and give your team the knowledge, confidence and practical skills to provide high-quality end of life care.

✔ Live expert-led training
✔ Practical tools and resources
✔ Support throughout the programme
✔ Work towards GSF accreditation
✔ A recognised quality marker for your organisation

Spring 2027 programmes are now open.

Find out more and get your team started: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/care-homes/

20/10/2026

“We were good, but we’re even better now.”

Sue Smith, Registered Manager at Cherry Wood Grange, shares how GSF has made a real difference to the team and the people they care for.

Through their GSF journey, the team has built the confidence and expertise to have open conversations about end of life care, listen to what matters most to each person, and ensure their wishes guide the care they receive.

From involving residents, families and staff in creating meaningful end of life care boxes to helping people remain at Cherry Wood Grange if that is their wish, the team has put personalised, compassionate care at the heart of everything they do.

As Sue says, “This is the team’s award.” A wonderful recognition of the commitment, teamwork and compassion that make a difference every single day.

Thank you to Sue and the whole team at Cherry Wood Grange for sharing your story and for the care you provide.

19/10/2026

GSF Primary Care Practice of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Chase Meadow Health Centre, winners of the GSF Primary Care Practice of the Year 2026 award! 🎉

The GSF assessor and panel were particularly impressed by the practice’s proactive approach to identifying and supporting carers, with 97% of carers identified before a patient is added to the palliative care register.

The assessor also noted that 100% of patients are offered an Advance Care Planning discussion, helping to ensure people's wishes, preferences and priorities are understood and respected.

A fantastic achievement, demonstrating how proactive identification, early conversations and a whole-practice approach can make a real difference to end of life care.

💛 Could your practice make a difference with GSF?

Our new GSF Primary Care Programme is launching soon! Designed to help practices strengthen their approach to identifying people approaching the end of life, improve Advance Care Planning and deliver personalised, coordinated care.

Express your interest here: https://www.goldstandardsframework.org.uk/training-accreditation/primary-care/

17/10/2026

16/10/2026

GSF Care Home of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Silloth Nursing and Residential Care Home, winners of the GSF Care Home of the Year 2026 award! 🎉

This award recognises Silloth’s exceptional commitment to high-quality, personalised end of life care, sustained over six consecutive GSF accreditation cycles.

The GSF assessor and panel were particularly impressed by the home’s innovative approach to workforce development, including supporting carers to qualify as nurses and progress into senior roles, introducing Learning Disability Nurses to broaden clinical expertise, and employing an in-house trainer with established links to the local college.

Their continued investment in people, digital integration and community engagement demonstrates a real commitment to developing practice and ensuring residents’ wishes, preferences and priorities remain at the heart of care.

A fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition for the whole Silloth team!

In 2026, 43 care homes achieved GSF accreditation for the first time, with a further 59 successfully reaccredited. Reaccreditation recognises care homes that continue to embed and sustain the principles of GSF in everyday practice.

Eight other care homes were nominated for this year's Care Home of the Year Award, highlighting the outstanding commitment to end of life care across the GSF community.

14/10/2026

GSF Acute Hospital Ward of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Ward C3/FMNU at Russells Hall Hospital, The Dudley Group NHS Foundation Trust, winners of the GSF Acute Hospital Ward of the Year 2026 award!

The GSF assessor and panel recognised the team for their excellent teamwork, passion and commitment to developing their service and improving end of life care.

Their achievement reflects the dedication and collaboration needed to continually improve care, ensuring people receive compassionate, personalised support that respects their wishes and needs.

A fantastic achievement and well-deserved recognition for the whole team!

In 2026, five hospital wards/teams achieved GSF accreditation for the first time, while a further 14 were successfully reaccredited. This demonstrates the continued commitment of hospital teams to improving the quality of end of life care.

12/10/2026

GSF Retirement Village of the Year 2026

Congratulations to Sunley Court, awarded the GSF Retirement Village of the Year 2026! 🎉

The GSF assessor and panel were particularly impressed by the culture Sunley Court has created, where people feel safe to talk openly about their future, make choices about their care and continue to live well until the end of life.

This is what high-quality end of life care is all about: creating an environment where people feel listened to, supported and empowered to live well, with their wishes at the heart of their care.

A wonderful achievement and well-deserved recognition for the Sunley Court team!

In 2026, seven The ExtraCare Charitable Trust Retirement Villages achieved GSF reaccreditation, demonstrating their continued commitment to high-quality end of life care.

08/10/2026

We’re excited to exhibit at the UK Dementia Congress 2026 next month! If you’re attending, please pop by our stand and say hello 👋

We're delighted to recognise and thank our exhibitors supporting the 20th UK Dementia Congress 2026 on 17th and 18th November at Doncaster Racecourse.

Our exhibition provides a valuable opportunity for delegates to discover innovative products, services, research and resources that help shape the future of dementia care.

👉 Take a look at the organisations joining us at and be sure to visit them during the event. https://buff.ly/SQeNYHg

If you haven't already, please visit our UKDC2026 website for more information: https://buff.ly/vQrs82J



University of Worcester
Nilaqua personal hygiene and cleaning - No Water
PainChek
OM Interactive
University of West London
MedicAlert Foundation UK
Namaste Care International
The Gold Standards Framework CIO
Join Dementia Research
Relish