The Western Health and Social Care Trust has officially unveiled and opened its newly refurbished Dementia Care Ward and construction of a state-of-the-art Therapeutic Hub in the Waterside Hospital at Gransha in Derry.
The revamped ward and hub are part of an overall service improvement plan embarked upon by the Western Trust to reform and modernise older peoples mental health and dementia services; and provide a range of therapeutic interventions for people with dementia, delivered in a high quality, safe and dementia friendly environment.
The Therapeutic Hub has an activity and a therapy room, relaxation room, clinic room, a resource library and an external therapeutic garden/courtyard.
The newly designed Dementia Care Ward has also has a therapeutic skills kitchen and features in the ward are very much in keeping with best practice in dementia design, including:
• Corridors which are comfortably wide for ease of movement
• Colour and contrast throughout to ensure that key features/ rooms are highly visible
• Easy access to a safe and enclosed external courtyard
• Effective use of colour and contrast in toilet, grab rails
• Familiar and homely furniture and fittings.
Speaking at the official opening Gerry Guckian, chairman of the Western Trust, said the enhancement of newly refurbished Dementia Care Ward and Hub were the result of “significant financial” investment by the Trust.
Mr Guckian added: “This refurbishment has only taken 18 months to complete and has meant that patients can now avail of a modern purpose built, dementia friendly ward and Therapeutic Hub.
“I want to pay tribute to the team in Waterside Hospital for the excellent services they provide and for maintaining the highest standards of patient care during the refurbishment period.”
Alan Corry-Finn, Director of Primary Care and Older People said the provision of “high quality personalised care” for patients with dementia was a challenge for hospitals and hospital staff.
He added: “Being in hospital can be a very difficult time for someone with dementia. A dementia design audit carried out by the Western Trust on the original Dementia Care Ward in Waterside Hospital identified that patients found it difficult to understand and navigate the ward thus affecting their functioning, behaviour and independence.
“In the Western Trust we are determined to see the continued improvement of patient care and experience and therefore the development of the newly designed Dementia Care Ward and construction of a state-of-the art Therapeutic Hub are fundamental in supporting people with dementia and their families.”
Mr Corry-Finn concluded: “It is crucial that we provide the appropriate care for these vulnerable patients and their Carers whilst in hospital and we believe the new developments within the Ward will ultimately improve their quality of life.”
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