The Gold Standards Framework (GSF) Awards brought together organisations from across the UK to celebrate excellence in end of life care, with around 400 delegates attending the GSF Annual Conference and Awards Ceremony on Tuesday 22 September 2026 at East Side Rooms in Birmingham.
The annual event celebrates the achievements of organisations that have embedded high-quality end of life care across their services, while providing an opportunity to share best practice, inspire innovation and strengthen collaboration across health and social care.
- Organisations across care homes, hospitals, primary care, domiciliary care, hospices and retirement villages were recognised at the Gold Standards Framework Quality Hallmark Awards.
- 55 organisations achieved GSF accreditation for the first time, while 92 organisations were reaccredited, demonstrating a sustained commitment to improving end of life care.
- 79 reaccredited organisations received Platinum Status, with 14 organisations being accredited for the 5th or 6th time.
Recognising outstanding organisations across every care setting
Ward C3/FMNU at Russells Hall Hospital in Dudley was awarded GSF Acute Hospital Ward of the Year in recognition of their great teamwork and their passion and commitment in developing the service, and Lismore Ward at Helston Community Hospital in Cornwall was awarded GSF Community Hospital Ward of the Year with the assessor and panel noting the excellent working relationships they have built with community teams in the area, sharing knowledge and support.
In 2026, five hospital wards/teams achieved GSF accreditation for the first time, while a further 14 wards/teams were successfully reaccredited, demonstrating the continued commitment of hospital teams to improving end of life care.
GSF Care Home of the Year
Silloth Nursing and Residential Care Home was named GSF Care Home of the Year, recognising their sustained commitment to the Gold Standards Framework over six consecutive reaccreditation cycles and continued development of innovative practice across workforce development, digital integration and community engagement.
Our panel particularly noted Silloth’s workforce innovation, 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. Eight other care homes were nominated for GSF Care Home of the Year Award in 2026.
The award celebrates a care home that demonstrates exceptional commitment to personalised end of life care, ensuring residents’ wishes, preferences and priorities remain at the heart of care, while supporting families and staff throughout the journey.
This year, 43 care homes achieved GSF accreditation for the first time, with a further 59 care homes successfully reaccredited. Reaccreditation demonstrates that the principles and practices of the Gold Standards Framework have been sustained and embedded over time.
GSF Primary Care Practice of the Year
Chase Meadow Health Centre was awarded GSF Primary Care Practice of the Year, with our panel particularly impressed that they are identifying 97% of carers before highlighting a patient for the palliative care register. The assessor also noted that 100% of patients at Chase Meadow are offered an Advance Care Planning discussion.
In 2026, one practice achieved accreditation, while a further four practices were reaccredited, demonstrating the growing commitment to embedding high-quality end of life care within a primary care setting.
GSF Retirement Village of the Year
Sunley Court was awarded GSF Retirement Village of the Year, with the assessor and panel noting that they ‘have created a place where all are able to talk openly about their future, they feel safe and are able to live well till they die.’
In 2026, seven Extra Care Retirement Villages were reaccredited.
Impact of GSF across health and social care
The 2026 awards demonstrate the breadth of organisations embedding the Gold Standards Framework across health and social care.
Alongside care homes, hospitals, retirement villages and primary care, two hospice teams were accredited, including our first Welsh Hospice team, four domiciliay care agencies were accredited and eight domiciliary care agencies achieved reaccreditation, demonstrating the importance of a coordinated approach to end of life care across different settings.
This year’s award winners include organisations supporting people in care homes, in their own homes, in hospital, in retirement communities and through hospice services.
Together, they demonstrate how the generalist workforce can make a significant difference to people’s experiences at the end of life when equipped with the right training, support, systems and approach.
Celebrating long-term commitment
A key feature of the GSF Quality Hallmark Awards is the recognition of organisations that continue to demonstrate excellence over many years.
In 2026, 92 organisations achieved reaccreditation, demonstrating their ongoing commitment to embedding and sustaining high-quality end of life care.
GSF accreditation lasts for three years, after which organisations must demonstrate that the framework remains embedded within their practice to achieve reaccreditation. Those achieving Platinum status have demonstrated particularly sustained commitment through repeated accreditation cycles.
The achievements of this year’s reaccredited organisations highlight that high-quality end of life care is not a one-off initiative, but something that can become an integral part of an organisation’s culture and everyday practice.
Words from GSF
Julie Armstrong-Wilson, Chief Operational Officer, said:
These achievements show the difference that can be made when end of life care becomes part of everyday practice. Across all health and social care settings, teams are becoming more confident identifying people earlier, understanding what matters to them and planning care around their wishes.
“These achievements show the difference that can be made when end of life care becomes part of everyday practice. Across all health and social care settings, teams are becoming more confident identifying people earlier, understanding what matters to them and planning care around their wishes.
“We are incredibly proud of all the organisations that have committed to embedding this approach and continuing to improve the experience of people and families at an important time in their lives.”
GSF provides end of life care training and accreditation for frontline staff across health and social care. Its programmes support teams to develop the skills, confidence and systems needed to provide proactive, personalised and coordinated care for people approaching the end of life.
The Gold Standards Framework is committed to ensuring that people receive the right care, in the right place, at the right time, according to what matters most to them.
Everybody deserves Gold Standard end of life care.
