The second annual Daffodil Standards awards took place at the RCGP Annual Conference on Friday 4th October 2024. The awards, a partnership between end of life charity Marie Curie and the Royal College of General Practitioners (RCGP), aim to identify and celebrate best practice in end of life care by GPs and practice teams.
Nominees and winners were selected based on their implementation of the principles of The Daffodil Standards, a set of voluntary quality improvement standards developed by Marie Curie and RCGP.
The awards were presented by RCGP Chair, Professor Kamila Hawthorne and Marie Curie’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sarah Holmes.
Marie Curie’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Sarah Holmes said:
“We have been working with the RCGP for ten years now, and I am very pleased to see our work with the College continuing with the Daffodil Standards awards. This cross-community initiative promotes quality improvements in General Practice with a practical, patient focused approach that will support better outcomes in end of life care.
These are the only awards that recognise the contributions of the entire practice team and celebrate the importance of a compassionate and targeted approach at every stage of the end of life experience.”
The judges were so impressed with Dr Justin Peter from Millway Medical Practice, London, and Dr Nazmul Hussain from Wordsworth Health Centre, London, that they decided to name them joint GP of the Year winners.
They were particularly impressed by Dr Hussain’s dedication to the Daffodil Standards, noting he had overcome some considerable barriers in a challenging environment to provide compassionate care for his patients. And thought Dr Peter provided an excellent example of focussed quality improvement activity, especially patient involvement in the continued quality improvement process.
GP Practice Team of the Year was awarded to The Drayton Surgery in Portsmouth, who were commended for the detailed description of how the Daffodil Standards have been used to improve care.
There was evidence of clear leadership with regards to palliative and end of life care, collaborative working and reflective practice promoting a continuous learning environment.
Other category winners include:
- Management and receptionist general practice team member of the year: Julie Hall, Lambert Medical Centre, Thirsk, Yorkshire
- Clinical Team member of the year: Emily Heritage, The Groves Medical Centre, New Maldon, London
- General Practice care home team member: Dr Eva Kalmus, Sutton, London
- Trainee of the year: Dr Siri Upputuri, Lambert Medical Centre, Thirsk, Yorkshire
The event ended with Dr Sarah Holmes delivering a tribute to the work of Sarah Kent, Clinical Nurse Specialist, St. Christopher’s Hospice, who sadly died suddenly and unexpectedly on Saturday 20th July 2024.
Sarah was praised for her work supporting care homes with palliative and end of life residents and was recognised as a kind, generous, calm, gentle, genuine, thoughtful and supportive colleague with an excellent sense of humour.
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About Marie Curie – Marie Curie is the UK’s leading end of life charity. The charity provides expert end of life care for people with any illness they are likely to die from, and support for their family and friends, in our hospices and where they live. It is the largest charity funder of palliative and end of life care research in the UK, and campaigns to ensure everyone has a good end of life experience. If you’re living with a terminal illness or have been affected by dying, death and bereavement, Marie Curie can help. Visit www.mariecurie.org.uk or call the free Marie Curie Support Line on 0800 090 2309.
About RCGP – The Royal College of General Practitioners is a network of more than 53,000 family doctors working to improve care for patients. We work to encourage and maintain the highest standards of general medical practice and act as the voice of GPs on education, training, research and clinical standards.
The Daffodil Standards – Launched in 2019, the Daffodil Standards are a set of eight quality improvement statements designed to support primary care teams in delivering care to patients living with an advanced, serious illness, or at the end of their lives, and their loved ones. The core areas cover professional and competent staff; early identification; carer support – before and after death; seamless, planned, coordinated care; assessment of unique needs of the patient; quality care during the last days of life; care after death and General Practice being hubs within Compassionate Communities.
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