Efforts by local Stockport care homes to provide the best in care for residents approaching the end of their life were recognised at an award ceremony.

The Six Steps to Success Awards were presented to staff from care homes by the Specialist Palliative Care Team, at a ceremony in Stepping Hill Hospital.

 To achieve the award care homes need to show evidence of how they have supported residents during the last year of life by involving them in decisions about their care and treatment. The care homes seek to ensure that both the needs and preferences and wishes for care are met, including where a person wants to be cared for as dying approaches and how much intervention they want, giving some control to the person themselves. The aim is to ensure the best possible support both for the residents and their families.

Since the awards began, 25 Stockport care homes have completed the Six Steps programme and 10 have received the award. The care homes awarded at the latest ceremony were Plane Tree Court in Edgeley, Lynmere in Great Moor, Appleton Lodge in Brinnington, and Wellcroft in Gatley. The programme is ongoing and is open to all Stockport Care Homes.