Trust recognised for work with dementia and learning disabilities patients

17th Apr 2018

Pioneering work with patients living with dementia and learning disabilities at the Trust has been nationally recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Dementia, Delirium and Distress (DDD) team at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust scooped the Personalisation of Care gong, at the Patient Experience Network National Awards 2017, which was held earlier this month.

Judges praised the team for their innovative approach that focuses on patients’ needs and ensures they receive appropriate care when they are in hospital.

Gemma Diss, lead nurse for Dementia and Learning Disabilities at the Trust, said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and be recognised for our work in supporting patients with dementia and learning disabilities.

“Our service aims to provide a more patient-care centred approach so that we can enhance their experience whilst they are staying in hospital, helping them to recover more quickly.

“Through listening to experiences, we learned that it was important for staff to have a good understanding of patients’ needs and to be able to identify signs of distress, so they can develop appropriate care plans.

“We have been organising a number of training sessions for our staff through which they gain a good knowledge and understanding of dementia, delirium and learning disabilities. Staff also have the opportunity to role play, in order to recognise patients’ needs and understand why they may get distressed whilst staying in hospital.

“Through education and engaging with patients, carers and staff, we aim to build a new culture where patients are treated based on their needs, not diagnoses.”

She added: “Since bringing in new initiatives, we have seen a dramatic improvement where patients and carers have been giving us positive feedback about their experience within our Trust.

“We have also been contacted by NHS trusts across the UK, who are interested in the work we are doing.”

ENDS.

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