Hot on the success of the work on wards 19 and 20 - our Trustwide Prevention of Delirium team is growing.

The team of 12 engagement support workers will work across both hospital sites and are headed up by Co-ordinator Kirsty Jowett and Clinical Lead, Caroline Sellers. Here's a little more about the team and what they do:

• Working with patients who are diagnosed with Dementia, Alzheimer's or memory impairment - as well as those who may be at risk of picking up a delirium whilst in hospital
• Run a seven day service - between 7am and 7.30pm to provide stumulation and interaction with patients and build rapport with families and next of kin
• Support patients and work with them to make sure butterfly documentation and care plans are up-to-date
• Encourage a "If you don't use it, you'll lose it" approach - reinforcing how important it is for patients to be able to mimic daily tasks they may do at home
• Working with community services (Alzheimer's Society, Admiral Nurses) so when patients are discharged they know what support is available
• Linking with Greenhead College to recruit student volunteers for ward areas - some will join us before Christmas

Currently the following people are in post with more engagement support workers being recruited:

Caroline Sellers (Clinical Lead), Kirsty Jowett (Co-ordinator), with engagement support workers: Debbie Brewins, Sarah Duke and Cristina Mihu (wards 19/20), Samantha Waddington and Samhara Farhara (ward 8) & Angela Edwards and Christine Healey (ward 5ADB). 

As well as all the great stuff above the team are also trying to raise funds to get some Rempods for CRH. These pop-up pods mimic different environments on wards such as cafe areas and greenhouses. They help stimulate memories about all situations. If you can support any fund raising please contact Kirsty Jowett on 07917 068407 or mail kirsty.jowett@cht.nhs.uk