The Pines care home strikes platinum for quality care

The Pines care home, in Wandsworth, dedicated to providing the best possible care for all of its residents right up until the end of their lives, has been recognised with a major national award – for the second time.The Pines care home, run by Caring Homes, is among just 68 homes from across England to win a Quality Hallmark Award again, three years after receiving the prestigious honour from the National Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Centre, the UK’s largest provider of training in end of life care.Staff from the home will receive the award at a special ceremony in London on 29 September.Home manager Pratheesh Nair said; “We are delighted to have retained this award. It recognises the work every member of The Pines family puts in every day to ensure all our residents get the best possible care right up until the end of their lives and beyond.”The Pines is situated in a beautiful period property and provides an oasis of tranquility in vibrant Putney. The home provides residential and nursing care for up to 42 elderly residents in a beautiful, charming house with a delightful atmosphere.By satisfying the team of expert assessors who visited the home that they were still meeting the necessary 20 quality standards, ranging from leadership and support to dignity and respect. The Pines has proved that it has embedded all the elements necessary for good care for all of its residents right up until the end of their lives. Homes that demonstrate their credential for the second time are recognised with the Platinum award.GSF Quality Hallmark Awards are presented to homes that demonstrate real improvement in the quality of care they provide. Many halve the number of their residents dying in hospital as well as halving crisis hospital admissions, leading to greater satisfaction for families, residents and staff and significant cost savings for the NHS.Everyone in the home, ranging from nurses to the activities coordinator and catering staff, is involved in regular reviews with the residents. All aspects of their lives are considered including spiritual beliefs, personal interests and care preferences. Staff talk to the residents about their end of life care, giving them the opportunity to make decisions and say what they want. This has helped the residents and their families feel secure that they will be comfortable and their preferences considered at all times.Anne Keating, GSF Managing Director, said: “The aim of the Gold Standards Framework is to help care homes ensure they are delivering quality care for all of their residents not just today but for tomorrow and the next day. The Pines has proved that its commitment to providing personalised, compassionate care is long term and should be congratulated for its efforts.”Three thousand care homes have completed the GSF Care Homes programme since it was launched in 2004 and 600 have gone on to become accredited.