Dementia aid is praised
Wishaw General Hospital are in the running for two awards thanks to the staff’s commitment to helping patients with dementia.
The hospital were nominated for two out of three awards available in the acute care initiative category.
One of the nominations was in response to the hospital becoming the first in Scotland to adopt John’s Campaign, an initiative supporting people with dementia by ensuring their families and carers can stay on their ward round the clock.
Gillian Corbett, chief of nursing services at Wishaw General, said: “Both nominations are a great tribute to the hospital staff. We were delighted to be the first hospital in Scotland to introduce John’s Campaign last year and we have seen real benefits from ensuring patients who have dementia are not separated from their families or carers. We see relatives and carers as members of our team. They are encouraged to participate in care, eat with their loved ones, stay overnight if they wish, and are there to share and receive information.”
One of the families to have benefited from John’s Campaign is the family of 85-year-old Frances Morton, from Wishaw. Frances’ daughter, Marie Kennedy, said; “It was great being able to stay with mum. There was always a member of the family with her, night and day. We chatted with her and helped her to eat and wash.”
The second nomination was for Wishaw General’s Meaningful Activity Club, which offers exercise, reminiscence activities, arts and crafts, musical events and visits from specially-trained therapy pets.
Wishaw General’s senior nurse for the elderly, Janice Miles said: “We recognised people with dementia in hospital were frequently becoming distressed because of unmet needs, specifically related to boredom and lack of activity. Staff grew to understand that meaningful activity could help the patients feel valued and recognised.”
Winners will be announced next month.