Busi has been named a finalist in the Palliative Care/End of Life Award category for the South East region at The Great British Care Awards 2026.
The awards recognise outstanding contributions from individuals working across the care sector, celebrating those who demonstrate exceptional professionalism, compassion and dedication to the people they support.
The Palliative Care/End of Life Award recognises an individual who demonstrates exceptional professionalism and compassion when supporting someone at the end of their life. It also recognises the importance of developing the skills and knowledge needed to provide sensitive care, while maintaining dignity and respect for individuals and providing emotional support to their families and loved ones.
Busi’s recognition follows a series of accolades for Tupwood Gate and its approach to palliative and end-of-life care. In June, the Cygnet Social Care nursing home was shortlisted for three Palliative & End of Life Care Awards, including the Palliative Care Manager Award for Busi, the Palliative Care Team Award for Residential and Nursing Homes and the Nursing Home Provider Award.
She said: “At Tupwood Gate we have built a strong reputation for providing a calm, welcoming and respectful environment where residents receive personalised care tailored to their individual wishes, needs and preferences. The home places a strong emphasis on supporting not only residents, but also their families and loved ones during what can be an incredibly difficult and emotional time.
“High-quality end-of-life care is about treating every individual with dignity and compassion, while ensuring their loved ones feel supported throughout their journey.
“Supporting someone at the end of their life is one of the greatest privileges in care. It is about understanding what matters to that individual, listening to their wishes and making sure they feel safe, comfortable and respected throughout every stage of their journey.
“Palliative care is about so much more than medical care. It is about dignity, compassion, listening and simply being there when it matters most. We want every person we support to feel that they are surrounded by kindness and that their individual needs, wishes and preferences are being heard and respected.”
Busi also recognises the important role care teams play in supporting families and friends, who can often need just as much reassurance and guidance as the person receiving care.
She added: “We know that when someone is approaching the end of their life, it is an incredibly difficult time for the people who love them too. Families can experience so many different emotions, and our role is to provide reassurance, guidance and a listening ear, while helping them spend meaningful and precious time together.
“For me, the most important thing is that nobody feels alone. We want residents and their loved ones to know that we are there for them, that we will listen to them and that we will do everything we can to make those final days and moments as peaceful, dignified and comfortable as possible.”
The team’s person-centred approach has previously been recognised through heartfelt feedback from relatives, with families praising the kindness, sensitivity and respect shown by staff during their loved ones’ final months and days.
Busi said being shortlisted for a Great British Care Award was particularly meaningful because of what it represents for the people and families Tupwood Gate supports.
She said: “I am incredibly proud and honoured to be named a finalist for this award. End-of-life care is something we approach with enormous compassion and responsibility, and I am so proud of the team at Tupwood Gate and the care they provide every day.
“This recognition is not just about me. It reflects the commitment of the whole team at Cygnet Social Care and the culture we have created at Tupwood Gate, where people are treated as individuals and where kindness, dignity and respect are at the heart of everything we do.
“It is a privilege to be there for residents and their families during such an important time in their lives, and I am incredibly proud that this commitment has been recognised.”
The Great British Care Awards South East regional ceremony will take place on Friday 20 November 2026.