#122 The Gold Standards Framework with Julie Armstrong Wilson

In this episode it is my pleasure to talk with Julie Armstrong Wilson, Chief Operating Officer for the Gold Standards Framework Charity. Julie shares what GSF is, describing the training involved, and the difference it can make to teams, organisations and, most importantly to people.

Key messages

• Julie describes what GSF is and how ic can improve EoLC for everyone

• The focus on identification of people who might be approaching the last years of life is explained by Julie

• We discuss the environments GSF operates in as service improvement including Primary Care, Hospitals, Prisons and Care Homes. 

• Julie describes the GSF programme and the tools used throughout the programme to measure improvement

Resource

• Find out more about Gold Standards Framework 

• Access the Sue Ryder: Changing attitudes to death and dying  report mentioned by Julie

Bio

Julie Armstrong Wilson  Chief Operating Officer GSF

Julie started her care career in a residential care home in South West London. The opportunity gave her great insight into how we care for our elderly population and the important role care staff have supporting the resident, their family and each other. It was from this role that her initial passion for end of life care began and in 1985 she embarked on her nurse training at St Georges Hospital in London. 

As a qualified nurse she has spent the majority of her career focused on the care of our elderly population. She has had a variety of roles providing direct patient care in Acute and Community Hospitals, to improving systems as a Discharge Coordinator, Older Persons National Service Framework Lead supporting the development of services (e.g. falls, Stroke, Dementia and End of Life care services) Children's Commissioning Manager and Service Reform Manager with a specific focus on palliative and end of life care services it was while doing this role she came across GSF. 

She secured funding for care homes locally to undertake the GSF training and accreditation process as she could see the benefit, how it empowered “gave a voice” to the social care sector and gave her the opportunity to influence change, to enable people to experience a good death.