Five years of providing specialist dementia support at NNUH

A Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital (NNUH) team, which provides vital support to patients living with dementia and their carers, is celebrating its 5th anniversary.

The Dementia Support Team was set up at the hospital five years ago, thanks to a very generous donation to the N&N Hospitals Charity, and is now funded by the Trust.

The team, which includes a clinical nurse specialist and dementia support workers, help patients across the hospital who would benefit from one-to-one meaningful activities or some extra person-centred care. They also provide support to the carers of patients.

Following referrals from ward staff, the team get to know each patient individually to understand their needs and to tailor activities and provide cognitive stimulation.

Liz Yaxley, Dementia Services Manager at NNUH, said: “Providing personalised care and support to patients living with dementia is at the heart of the work we do at the hospital. Around 10 per cent of patients in hospital are living with dementia and the team aims to enhance the wellbeing of those who need extra support.”

From playing a patient’s favourite music, taking part in arts and crafts, or watching a television programme about a subject that really interests them – the Dementia Support Team has a range of activities to help enhance wellbeing. These activities could also be used to support patients through a medical procedure and ease stress.

The team also delivers Dementia Friends sessions to all new nursing assistants joining the Trust and sessions for other staff groups to raise awareness and understanding of dementia to help improve the care they deliver. They also work closely with the 140 members of staff who are Dementia Links and have a special interest in caring for patients who are living with dementia.

You can find out more about the work of the Dementia Support Team at the NNUH Dementia Information and Advice Fayre between 10am and 4.30am on Monday 13 May in the East Atrium.

For more information, visit https://new.nnuh.nhs.uk/events/open-days/2019/02/dementia-information-and-advice-fayre-2019/