"My fathers hospital care in SWAH Enniskillen"

Hi Julietjk44

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us feedback on your dads care during his stay in Ward 7. As the manager of Ward 7 I'm delighted to hear such positive comments. A stay in hospital can be very difficult for patients and families. It can be even more distressing for patients with dementia as they are in an unfamiliar environment. Having the added communication difficulty of aphasia can be very frustrating. Ensuring that our patients receive person centered care is central to the care of all patients. Staff learning about patients likes and interests is particularly helpful. Playing CD's or providing music and rugby games on the IPad can help to alleviate some of the anxiety that may have been experienced by your dad when in an unfamiliar clinical environment. Our Dementia Companions provide a special level of care to dementia patients spending time with them, communicating developing relationships and providing positive interactions. Their role is an integral part of the wards overall care for dementia patients. Thank you again and I will ensure that the staff on the ward receive this very positive feed back about how "lovely, caring and patient all the staff were".

Dear Juliejk44

My name is Nicola Hayes, and I am the Dementia Service Improvement Lead for the acute hospitals and I manage the Dementia Companion Team.

Thank you for sharing your story "My fathers hospital care in SWAH Enniskillen" and the positive experience that your father and you had of the journey through SWAH, namely A&E, Ward 1 and Ward 7 and in particular with a few of the Dementia Companions - Brendan and Jane.

Person centred care is paramount within dementia care and this has been evidenced throughout your experience of Brendan and Jane and the wider nursing team within Ward 7. I am glad that the support they offered your father through effective communication and therapeutic activities was supportive not only to your father, but also what you observed supported you at this difficult time. Each of our patients are unique and individual and with your father experiencing additional challenges, such as aphasia, it is paramount that staff reflect, not only in their nursing care, but also in encouraging other methods of engagement and therapeutic activities, such as what you have witnessed. Your father was able to engage effectively through different methods used and I know that the Dementia Companions learned a lot from your father, which will aid them in future care delivery.

I am delighted that you had the experience of the Dementia Companion Team and the role they can play to people living with dementia who are admitted to hospital. I will share this post with the Dementia Companion, which they will be delighted to receive.

Your feedback is very welcome to ensure safe, effective, compassionate and well led care is delivered.

Kind regards

Nicola