A New Malden nursing home has been re-accredited as a Gold Standard end of life care provider for the third time  

Founded in 1989, The White House is a family-run nursing home focussed in special and palliative care, as well as general nursing.  

The Gold Standard Framework (GSF) is a practical and evidence-based end of life care improvement programme. People in the last stage of their lives are given a personalised and integrated approach to their care to enable them to live well and die well. 

Registered Manager Ajitha, who came to the home as a student nurse, says: "The first time we were awarded the GSF [in 2016] that was the best day of my life because it was a big recognition and achievement to the hard work of our team." 

The GSF accreditation is now well-known nationally as the Quality Hallmark in end of life care. It has rigorous standards which need to be demonstrated and evidenced through portfolios and inspections. 

The awards were held on 29 September in Manchester and Co-Director Salima was in attendance to pick up the official certification and plaque award which was duly celebrated with the entire team back at TWH.   

TWH were also made Poster Presentation of Exemplary Care showcased on display at the GSF awards. (Photo: The White House Nursing Home)

A small home, TWH has grown from a four-bedroom detached house to a 30-bed house. It does not have large facilities but is run by a team of 35 staff member- all have an emotional connection to GSF. 

Ajitha found GSF when she became manager and wanted a more structured approach to palliative care. She says GSF "touched her heart" because "every single thing is in detail about how to manage a resident who is nearing death or palliative care". 

Almost beaming with excitement down the phone, Ajitha says they applied for GSF and it brought all the team together. "It's not just about nurses and caters but about the whole team, the management and the domestic team and the admin team. Everyone is part of the programme: that is the beauty of it." 

Ajitha tells an anecdote of one resident who was dying and had a large family come visit him.  

"I still remember 40 members of his family came here to see him. I said we have to accommodate them. We used the dining room and the whole lounge. we offered them refreshments throughout the night.  

"I think all the staff felt like this is amazing. This is what it is. It's not just the resident dying it is the family who is suffering the most- they are the most important people to be looked after emotionally and psychologically. We learned a big thing: it's just not the residents it's about the families going through the grief."  

Support for the families continues after the resident has passed away. Ajitha says TWH continue to maintain a relationship with the family by calling them, attending the funeral, sending a card and inviting them for tea or a chat- if they want to.   

"I think that's the reason most of the families like to come back and volunteer with us," she says. "We feel so connected with this place."  

Ajitha says the most frequent feedback TWH receives is: "We feel like we're coming into mum's home. We never feel like we're going to a nursing home." 

Outside the nursing home in New Malden. (Photo: The White House)

"We [at TWH] believe in a good end of life," Ajitha says. "I personally believe a nursing home should not be recognised as a last resort. This is a place where they can rest and achieve something. We have targeted and active enterprises every day."  

TWH have targeted and dynamic activities every day, tailored according to the likes of residents. If the residents are too ill, the staff will go into their rooms and do one-to-one conversations to keep them company.  

"They need to feel like they are achieving something," Ajitha says. "I don't want them to come here and sleep because that's most of the time what you see [at nursing homes].  

"We try to build their sense of independence and confidence: it's not too late, they can do something."  

Ajitha says when families come to visit, they cannot believe their parent can do painting again.  

Then, when resident passes away, TWH puts their creative work in an album and gives it to the family as a memory book. "It's not just about the residents but the whole family," Ajitha says. 

Resident playing interactive games. (Photo: The White House Nursing Home)

Reaching out into the community, TWH has linked up with local schools to hold crafting sessions. Each resident is connected with a local school child. The residents then send drawings, paintings or craftwork to the children, and then they receive paintings or a bracelet back.   

"It's like a pen friend," Ajitha explains. "It's very emotional for our residents. Every month we are waiting to see what we're going to receive- it's very exciting time for them."  

Residents doing creative activities. (Photo: The White House Nursing Home)

Next month, the school children are coming to the home to do choral singing for the residents.   

Ajitha says she has found seeing the children and volunteers is helpful for the residents' mental health. She said: "Most the time they just see the staff or their family members. But when we started to bring the younger generation and student volunteers we can see a different kind of expression in our residents' faces. they are happier and more engaged.  

"Seeing a child changes everything for them- they become very cheerful."  

TWH also have coffee mornings the first Monday of the month with other care homes in the borough, broadening its relationship with the outer community.  

Registered Manager Ajitha, and Co-Director Salima, were invited to attend the Royal Garden Party at Buckingham Palace last summer as another way of being recognised for their outstanding care. 

TWH Nursing Home was founded by Late Mr Badrudin Manji in 1989. Sadly, both Mr Manji and Mrs Manji passed away in May 2013. Mr Manji's daughter Salima subsequently joined the family business. Salima and her husband Rahim are now continuing the family legacy at TWH Nursing Home.