Welcome
"Adopting the framework has facilitated improved planning of patient care during the final weeks of life. It has resulted in new enthusiasm amongst staff & a thirst for knowledge to improve individual care standards."
District Nurse, Tayside
The Gold Standards Framework Scotland (GSFS) programme is based in general practice and aims to improve cancer and palliative care in the community. It builds on the good work being done in primary care and focuses on making simple improvements in planning and communication. The GSFS benefits everybody - patients, carers, health professionals: encouraging consistently good quality care for patients in their chosen environment; acknowledging carers and supporting them with relevant information; improving teamwork and confidence amongst staff.
The framework covers seven key task areas:
- C1 - Communication
- C2 - Co-ordination
- C3 - Control of Symptoms
- C4 - Continuity
- C5 - Continuing Education
- C6 - Carer Support
- C7 - Care of the Dying
The framework has already been taken up by more than 70% of Scottish general medical practices as part of a three year project rolled out between October 2003 and October 2006. There is still opportunity though for more primary health care teams to adopt the framework and use the palliative care resources provided here.
