DEDICATED staff at a Greenock care home have received a prestigious national award for their work in providing care to people at the end of their life.
The team at Larkfield View received the Palliative and End of Life Care Practice honour at Care Home Awards, run by Scottish Care.
Care home manager Elsie MacLennan says the coveted title is 'well-deserved' and that the whole team were 'very humbled' to receive it.
Elsie added: "This is a huge honour.
"We know that end of life care is something that we do very well, and this award is a fantastic recognition of that.
"Our staff work so hard and put their heart and soul into caring for our residents.
"I feel so proud of what we've achieved."
The Scottish honour follows on from Larkfield View getting through to the final three in the North East England & Scotland heat of the Great Britain Care Awards.
Elsie, who is a nurse, nominated staff for the Scottish award after witnessing how the team dealt with the death of two residents who passed away within days of each other.
She said: "In the build-up to their passing, I worked on the floor with the staff involved, which was a privilege.
"I saw the amazing end of life care that was delivered and decided there and then that I would nominate the team."
Elsie says many different practices are in place in the care facility to ensure residents, their families, and staff are supported when someone is approaching the end of their life.
She says staff speak to residents and their families soon after they move into Larkfield View about what they want to happen when that day comes.
Elsie says the end of life care provided by the team doesn't stop at looking after the resident, and extends to supporting the whole team.
She added: "The resident is always our focus.
"We make sure every individual gets the best life possible and also the best death possible.
"Losing a resident is a personal loss for all of us.
"We lose the connection with the family too.
"The interaction that our residents, their families, and our staff have is very special."
Larkfield View has created its own bereavement charter and a member of staff now acts as the main point of contact for staff who want to speak about their own experiences.
Elsie has introduced 'circle' meetings after the loss of a resident, which give staff time to reflect on the person and the care that was provided.
The care home recently held a very emotional 'tree of honour' ceremony where family members of people who have passed at the home could visit and pay their respects.
Elsie said she's proud to say that every resident at Larkfield View is very much part of the family through their life and onto their passing.
She added: "I couldn't be prouder of the team we have here.
"People come to care homes to live until they're ready to die and we help them pass away with respect and dignity."
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