Spotlight case study

This page is dedicated to the case studies relating to the Daffodil standards.

PGP1

Portsdown Group Practice

A GP practice in England, signed up to the Daffodil Standards in 2020/2021. Practice is a Primary Care Network (PCN) in its own right.

Key staff and roles include a GP lead for the Daffodil Standards, care coordinators supporting DS activities, salaried GPs and Registrars.

Key Daffodil Standard activities being undertaken

Early identification (DS2)

  • Whole practice/ PCN has a clear protocol to follow for identifying and caring for all palliative patients.
  • Developed written guidance for the role of the administrative teams who process letters from the hospital to identify new palliative patients.
  • Reception staff have training to identify distressed relatives and patients who are deteriorating and have regular contact with the duty clinician to ensure care is provided as soon as the need is identified.

Carer support (DS3)

  • Care coordinators contact carers, offering support and signposting to services within the practice and the community.

Seamless, well-planned and coordinated care (DS4)

  • MDT has been established, consisting of two palliative care coordinators, a lead GP, administrative support, dietician, frailty practitioners, social prescribers and carer leads.
  • Care coordinators developed close working relationships with PCN led district nursing team, community matrons, the ICB led palliative care team, the local hospice social work team, local charities, local well-being services, living well centre and support groups.

Quality care in the last days of life (DS6)

  • Developed a ‘Daffodil line’ – a dedicated phone line which bypasses all call queues and is answered as a priority – which is given to all patients in the last days of life, their relatives, and the district nursing team, to provide direct access to the duty GP, ensuring swift care at the time of need.
  • Patients in the last days of life also receive a supportive phone-call every 3 days.

Bereavement support (DS7)

  • ‘Care after death’ protocol developed, to be followed by all team members.
  • All relatives receive a condolence call and a sympathy card, signposting to appropriate support.
PGP_23

Differences the Daffodil Standards have made:

  • A whole practice/PCN belief that all patients deserve a peaceful, comfortable death and end of life care is something that is a privilege to provide.
  • MDT have a shared ethos and strives to provide best possible care to all patients who are nearing the end of their lives.
  • Receive regular positive feedback and compliments from relatives of patients who are grateful for the care provided.
  • Care coordinators have an extensive unique role in the care of end-of-life patients, providing wellbeing support, befriending, signposting, and listening.
  • By having a PCN led team, the practice can ensure dedicated staff are available to patients for mental, physical, and emotional wellbeing support.

Key enablers to implementation of DS:

  • Dedicated funding and control over how funding is allocated.
  • Dedicated funding for care coordinators.
  • GP lead for DS with background, passion and interest in end-of-life care.
  • Support staff with personal experience in end of life care.
  • Dedicated time.
  • Embedding DS in current activities, protocols, and procedures.

Barriers and challenges to implementation of DS:

  • Limited training and education around DS.
  • Limited awareness of DS.
  • No formal recognition for DS activities.
GP Partner, Dr Sarah Swindells ‘We were thrilled to visit the Royal College to receive recognition for the work the practice puts in to End of Life care. It is an integral part of good general practice and something that all our staff are invested in. We are immensely proud of what we do.’

Nominate who you think deserves recognition for delivering outstanding end of life care. Watch award-winning, Portsdown Group Practice, reflect on winning 'GP Practice Team of the Year'.

Portsdown Group Practice
Winners of the Daffodil Standards Awards GP Practice Team of the Year 2023
Winner of the Daffodil Standards Awards 2025 Non-Clinical member of the year 2025 - Lisa Davies

Additional case studies