MKUH Appoints New Dementia Lead Nurse
Milton Keynes University Hospital (MKUH) has appointed a new Dementia Lead Nurse to ensure our patients with the condition receive the extra help and support they may need.
Janet Page has many years of nursing experience, most recently as senior sister on Ward 18, one of the hospital’s elderly care wards. She aims to support staff with advice and additional training so that they feel confident to care for this special group of patients.
The Trust does not have a specialist dementia ward and patients with the condition can find themselves on a number of wards depending on the reason for their admission, therefore all staff need to have an awareness of the syndrome.
“The term dementia covers a very wide range of symptoms and behaviours which can vary considerably from patient to patient,” explains Janet. “We aim to provide a person-centred approach as well as signposting carers of people living with dementia to additional resources.
“Being admitted to hospital can be disorientating and frightening for someone living with dementia and their families. We aim to make their admission and discharge as straightforward as possible,” she adds.
Janet believes it is important that staff know as much about a patient with dementia as possible.
“We have a booklet called What Matters to, which we encourage relatives to fill in, informing us about their loved one’s likes and dislikes so that we can ensure we know as much about them as possible.”
If you have a loved one with dementia, please inform staff to help them support you through your journey and refer to the Dementia Lead Nurse for additional support.
Last Modified: 10:20am 03/08/2023
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