Morecambe care team earns national recognition

A Lancaster and Morecambe care provider has become the only homecare service in Lancashire to hold Platinum accreditation for end-of-life care.

Specialist Care Team received the recognition for an approach that puts each person’s wishes, comfort and family at the centre of care during the final stages of life.

The award follows 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.

Specialist Care Team provides end-of-life care at home for people across Lancaster and Morecambe, whether their care is funded through the NHS or arranged privately.

The team collected the national award in Birmingham earlier this week.

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.

The awards assessor reviewed care records and examples of support, visited the service and spoke to staff and a bereaved relative.

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.

“Good care means knowing the person, not just their diagnosis. It means understanding what reassures them, how they communicate and who they want involved. It also means noticing when a relative needs an explanation, a listening ear or time to sleep.

“Our end-of-life care is for people across our community. For those who also have mental health needs, a learning disability or autism, we can bring our wider experience and understanding into their care too.

“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.”