Westminster Memorial Hospital in Shaftesbury has received both Platinum Status from the Gold Standards Framework (GSF) charity and the 2025 Innovation and Best Practice Award from the Community Hospitals Association (CHA) for its approach to palliative and bereavement services.
Kate Norris, ward sister at the hospital, said: “We recognised that while we provided high-quality, compassionate care to patients and families at the bedside, our ongoing support for families following the death of a loved one was limited.
“Bereavement can be a deeply distressing and isolating experience, yet it is rarely spoken about openly in everyday life.
From left – right: Holly Brown, ward sister. Kate Norris, senior sister and Professor Anne Hendry from IFIC (International Foundation for Integrated Care), Scotland. (Image: Dorset HealthCare University NHS Foundation Trust)
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“Families often feel unsure about where to turn for ongoing support.”
To address this, the hospital launched a major improvement programme.
The initiatives included refurbishing the end-of-life suite with new furnishings and artwork to create a homely, calming environment, and providing families with 24-hour refreshments.
The hospital also introduced bespoke information packs for families, with guidance on the dying process, local services, and bereavement support, tailored to individual needs.
Staff also created a dedicated bereavement garden featuring a two-metre-high metal memorial tree, surrounded by benches and greenery.
This peaceful space has become deeply meaningful to families, with one even holding a wedding there while a relative received palliative care.
Ms Norris said: “Our aim was to develop services that allowed families to remain connected with us beyond the point of death, reflecting our commitment to holistic, compassionate and continuous care.
“The enthusiasm and commitment across hospital and in the local community in making this happen were remarkable.
“It brought everyone together, and the recognition from both the GSF and the CHA reflects the dedication, compassion and innovation of the whole team and confirms the positive impact of its work on patients, families, staff and the wider community.”
A new bereavement service, supported by a chaplaincy team and local choir, now offers gatherings for families and staff to share memories and celebrate the lives of loved ones.
The hospital also launched the Grief Encounters Café, an informal space where people can meet others with similar experiences, talk about grief, and access peer support.