Alexandra House, BEN's Residential and Nursing Centre in Southport, has received accreditation in the Gold Standard Framework for End of Life Care. Out of 47 homes applying for the accreditation, it was one of only eight to receive a commendation.

During BEN's financial difficulties of 2006/07, we took the hard decision to close the dedicated palliative care unit at Alexandra House, which was particularly difficult for all the staff, who spent years training to offer the very best in end of life care. While the physical unit closed, the staff were determined to offer the best end of life care and have continued to offer the highest standards, so it is especially gratifying for everyone at Alexandra House to receive this commendation.

This accreditation is particularly important to us as it is supported by Help the Aged, and is designed to ensure objective and independent quality assurance for homes that have undertaken the GSF Care Homes Training programme and can demonstrate full integration of the work.

The GSFCH Accreditation Process and Quality Hallmark Award are endorsed by all four major care home organisations (National Care Association, National Care Forum, English Community Care Association and Registered Nursing Home Association) as a means of improving quality of care.

There's no better measure than the endorsement of those that monitor and govern your industry. We would like to take this opportunity to thank all those involved in achieving this accolade and you, our supporters, whose contributions fund the high standards that we set forourselves.