Morecambe home care team earns national recognition
A Lancaster and Morecambe care provider has become the only one in the county to hold Platinum accreditation for end of life care.
Specialist Care Team received the recognition following a detailed assessment of how the Morecambe-based service plans and delivers care, including how staff recognise changing needs, listen to people’s wishes, support families and provide compassionate care in the final days of life.
The assessment found that Specialist Care Team’s end of life practice was embedded across the service and gave it a score of 78 out of 82.
The team collected their national award in Birmingham on September 22.
For someone who is dying, good care means being listened to, being as comfortable as possible and having their wishes guide the support they receive.
For their family, it can mean understanding what to expect, having someone to turn to or knowing a carer can stay with their loved one while they rest.
These are among the practical aspects of care recognised in Specialist Care Team’s assessment.
The Gold Standards Framework is a nationally recognised approach to improving end of life care. Platinum status recognises providers that have been reassessed and shown that they have sustained their standards over time. It is not simply awarded for completing a training course.
At Specialist Care Team, the assessor reviewed care records and examples of support, visited the service and spoke to staff and a bereaved relative.
The assessor wrote: “Staff are committed and determined and not content with anything but the highest standards of care.”
The assessment also highlighted early recognition of changing needs, support for relatives and carers, compassionate care, and the importance placed on staff training and support.
In practice, the team gives people opportunities to talk about their wishes and what matters to them. Care plans are reviewed as needs change, with staff working alongside GPs and district nurses. The aim is to understand a person’s preferences before a crisis, rather than leaving important conversations until their final days.
Julie Murray, director of Specialist Care Team, said: “When someone you love is dying, you want to know they are comfortable, that their wishes are being heard and that you do not have to manage everything alone.
“This award matters because our care has been examined, not just our intentions. We are proud of our staff, but our responsibility does not end with a certificate. It is to keep listening, keep improving and share what works so more people can receive dignified care at the end of their lives.”