Meet our Ladies in Red… at the forefront of pioneering care for our patients with dementia.

They do an outstanding role, which has won awards over the years, so now they’ve a new red uniform to make them stand out and which also sets them apart from any other team in the Trust. The team originate from a variety of backgrounds, bringing with them a diverse range of skill and experience.

We have been able to create the team thanks to the support of our Trust’s Charitable Funds Committee. Back in 2016, they recognised the value of this service and funded a two year project to further develop, embed, and evaluate the pathway. Project Clinical Lead, Caroline Sellers, and Project Co-ordinator, Kirsty Jowett, supported by Charitable Funds joined the delirium team and we are now trail blazing nationally applying evidence-based practice alongside innovative and creative methods.

More about our POD team:

In keeping with the ‘Red’ theme, when a patient is identified as appropriate for social engagement and POD intervention they will be issued with red items including, tray, cup, beaker and lid for the water jug. This is to alert staff that this particular patient may need extra prompts or support.

Since the implementation of POD, the number of falls has reduced and usage of ‘one-to-one’ supervision has also fallen. The team offer a unique approach to care. They work closely with families from admission, gathering essential information regarding the person’s normal level of function and ability. This ensures that all care provided aims to maintain or regain optimum independence and function whilst in hospital.

The team have also further developed the A level student volunteer scheme. Greenhead College students who wish to pursue a career in health care have been volunteering on the POD pathway for several years. It is a popular and worthwhile placement for them, offering experience and insight to health care, evidence for university applications, but most important, it is an excellent component of care loved by patients and staff. The success of this scheme has led to us extending the opportunity to other colleges including, Halifax Grammar School and Ryburn Valley High School.

Caroline Sellers, project clinical lead, said: “The team is made up of people from very different backgrounds, and that is what we wanted, lots of different pieces to make up the jigsaw. This team can support the nurses on the ward as they engage with patients who may otherwise be perceived as ‘challenging’. This enables the nurses to care for patients requiring urgent nursing care. It is a win win for everyone ”.

The team has established new relationships with the police and fire services. With the approval of the patient and their carers, we share essential information about patients who live with dementia. This information can be stored and used if that person should go missing in the future. The team will also identify people at risk of harm, and refer them for relevant safety checks once at home from these Public Services.

Nurse consultant for Older People, Barbara Schofield, who first set up the POD care pathways, said: “Since coming into post, Caroline and Kirsty have worked with enthusiasm and creativity. They have further developed the role of the social engagement workers and worked with specific ward teams educating and supporting staff to understand this new way of working.”

The project has specific guidelines and objectives. Practical, academic and strategic support is provided by Felicity Astin, Professor of Nursing; Doctor Nichola Barlow, Senior Lecturer (University of Huddersfield), and Barbara Schofield. Alongside Caroline and Kirsty, this project team will apply evidence-based research methods to evaluate and guide the long term development of the delirium pathway. Early feedback from patients, carers and staff is extremely positive.