London, July 2025 – A remarkable number of organisations accredited by the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) were celebrated at the 2025 Palliative Care Awards, marking a powerful endorsement of the GSF’s model of proactive, person-centred, and compassionate end of life care.
From large national providers to local care homes and extra care schemes, GSF accredited services were either winners or highly commended in nearly every category – demonstrating the real-world impact of embedding GSF standards across health and social care.
Winners Reflecting GSF Excellence
- Nightingale Hammerson
Palliative Residential Care Provider Award – Winner
Recognised for achieving 94% of residents dying in their preferred place and introducing initiatives like Schwartz Rounds, Nightingale Hammerson is an outstanding example of delivering “person-centred holistic end of life care”, ensuring “emotional, cultural, and clinical needs are met with compassion”. Nightingale House, part of Nightingale Hammerson is a 5th time Accredited, Platinum GSF home and has previously been awarded the GSF Care Home of the Year award. - Galanos House
Palliative Nursing Home Provider Award – Winner
Praised for its holistic care approach and outstanding communication with families, Galanos House’s win illustrates how structured care planning can enhance end of life experiences. Galanos House are a 6th time Accredited Platinum GSF home. - The Peaches Healthcare Ltd
Palliative Care at Home Provider Award – Winner
Offering highly personalised care in people’s homes, The Peaches Healthcare was celebrated for “delivering support with compassion, clarity, and dedication to the Gold Standard Framework” in the domiciliary setting. - The Old Rectory Nursing Home (Doncaster)
Excellence in Palliative Care Nursing (Independent) – Winner
Manager, Alex Morton was praised for his hands-on and dedicated approach, driving organisational change. Alex was also highly commended for the Palliative Care Manager Award, for his inspiring ‘One Wish Foundation’ putting compassion at the heart of the care they provide. - Solent Grange Nursing Home
Palliative Care Team (Residential & Nursing, Independent) – Winner
With detailed pre-assessments and relationship-based practice, Solent Grange’s win showcases the importance of planning, communication, and person-centred care. - Sunley Court (ExtraCare Charitable Trust)
Palliative Care Team (Residential & Nursing, Not-for-Profit) – Winner
Praised for embedding compassionate end of life planning and supporting staff, Sunley Court ensure “each resident lives – and dies – with dignity, purpose, and peace, honouring individual wishes and wellbeing”. Sunley Court also won the 2023 GSF Retirement Village of the Year Award! - Knaves Court (Housing 21)
The Bereavement Support Award – Winner
The judges recognised that bereavement support is regarded as an integral part of the palliative care that is provided at Knaves Court. The team go “above and beyond” to ensure families and friends have a “compassionate space to grieve with dignity and care”.
Highly Commended GSF Accredited Providers
- Ebury Court Care Home
Palliative Care Team (Residential & Nursing) & Innovation in End of Life Social Care Awards – Highly Commended
Judges commended Ebury Court’s leadership engagement and structured approach, working collaboratively as a team, demonstrating compassion and being at the “forefront of end of life care innovations”, reflecting their long-standing GSF accreditation. Ebury Court is a 6th time Accredited, Platinum GSF Home. - Knaves Court (Housing 21)
Ancillary Worker Award – Highly Commended
Housekeeping staff were recognised for “providing comfort and care beyond their usual duties”- demonstrating the importance that compassionate palliative care involves every role, not just clinicians.
National & Organisational Impact
- Care UK
Workforce Development Award – Commended
This national provider was specifically recognised for its “GSF Programme,” which has scaled advance care planning and staff development across its portfolio. Care UK have trained and accredited a large number of their care homes with GSF. - Chosen Care Group
Multiple Award Wins
A testament to their wide GSF integration, Chosen Care Group teams featured in categories for:- The Best Fundraiser Award
- The Integrated Care Systems Award (Sheela Antony Samy)
- Partnership Working Across Health & Social Care (Lisa Nordskog)
GSF Accreditation: The Gold Standard in Practice
The Gold Standards Framework has accredited hundreds of care organisations across the UK through rigorous training and assessment in advance care planning, proactive identification, holistic end of life care and more. Providers who embed these standards consistently deliver:
- Higher rates of people dying in their preferred place
- Stronger communication with families
- Better staff morale and retention
- Higher CQC ratings
This year’s awards provide compelling evidence that GSF accredited providers are not just meeting regulatory expectations – they are exceeding them and earning national recognition for doing so.
The Palliative Care Awards 2025 reinforce the growing consensus that GSF accreditation is a catalyst for excellence. As GSF continues to evolve and expand its reach, these award-winning providers serve as living examples of what gold-standard care looks like in action.
The message to the wider care sector is clear: when organisations commit to GSF, the outcomes speak for themselves – in patient experience, in staff pride, and on the national stage.
GSF Lead Nurse for Health & Social Care, Ginny Allen with Kate Garraway MBE, presenting the Lifetime Achievement in Palliative Care Award to Professor Bee Wee, CBE
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