LONDON: The Kingston Hospital has transformed one of its elderly care wards into a completely dementia friendly environment. The Derwent Ward opened for patients on 22nd November. The Kingston Hospital Dementia Appeal was chosen by the Mayor of the Royal Borough of Kingston upon Thames, Cllr Roy Sanjeev Arora and his wife Manisha Patel as their Mayoral Charity. Cllr Arora said, "Patients will get the excellent care they deserve in the new dementia friendly ward at Kingston Hospital. We would like to thank all those involved in making this happen. We feel privileged to be able to look after our elderly and to serve the Kingston community."
The new ward is a product of the Trust's Dementia Strategy, in which, staff, patients, carers, and local organisations put in years of efforts. The sole aim of the design of the ward is to reduce disorientation, by making the environment feel more homely and friendly. Clinical Director for Elderly Care at Kingston Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, Dr Louise Hogh said, "The transformation of Derwent Ward has happened without losing any beds, and draws on all the evidence based research relating to lighting, matt non-patterned flooring and using colour and art to help patients find their way around the ward. I know it is going to have such a positive impac on the patients we are caring for."
He added, "The ward includes an activity room and day room to enable patients to take part in meaningful activities away from the bedside, helping to keep them as active and independent as possible."
