Health trust launches ‘Dementia Strategy’ to help sufferers in Brent
London North West Healthcare NHS Trust has launched a dementia strategy - Credit: Archant
A health trust has launched a new strategy today which aims to improve the care and experience of dementia sufferers in Brent.
Ther trust is appealing for donations of 'twiddlemuffs' - Credit: Archant
The ‘Dementia Strategy’ by London North West Healthcare NHS Trust will see the introduction of a ‘carer’s passport’ and ‘twiddlemuffs’ as part of its new drive.
The special ‘passport’ allows carers of dementia patients at Central Middlesex, Northwick Park and Ealing hospitals to visit them outside of normal visiting hours while the twiddlemuffs provide a stimulation activity for the restless hands of disoriented or confused sufferers.
The woollen muff has twiddles such as buttons, beads or zips attached inside and out.
The strategy launch has been paired with the trust signing up to John’s Campaign – a crusade that calls for unrestricted visiting hours for dementia patient carers.
The campaign was founded by carer Nicci Gerrard in November 2014 after the death of her father Dr John Gerrard.
Dementia is one of the biggest issues facing the health service and there are currently around 6,023 sufferers within Brent, Ealing and Harrow boroughs.
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Amanda Pye, chief nurse, said, “In recent months we have made progress on improving dementia care in our hospitals.
“The Dementia Strategy builds on this work and today is an important step forward in embracing new ways of working so that we can achieve our goal to become a dementia friendly organisation.”
To avoid any risk of cross infection each patient given a twiddlemuff will be allowed to keep it and take it home when they leave hospital.
The trust is appealing for donations of twiddlemuffs from knitters and crocheters.
For more information including knitting patterns visit here.
