Construction began this week on a safe and dedicated outdoor space for dementia patients at The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn NHS Foundation Trust (QEH) during Dementia Action Week.
Hospital stays for patients living with dementia can be especially daunting and The QEH is committed to giving all patients who have the condition the best experience possible while under our care.
The dementia-friendly garden will be used by patients, carers and staff of West Dereham ward, a 28-bedded ward dedicated to the care of the elderly.
Set to be finished in July, the 200m2 garden is designed to offer a safe, accessible area for all patients including those in beds and wheelchairs.
It is clinically proven that a garden can help people living with dementia enjoy socialising and connect with others by creating a shared experience, to take part in physical activity and stimulate the senses and memories, all of which greatly improves their wellbeing.
The garden, which will cost c£45,000, is funded by the QEHKL Charity with an additional £5,000 seed funding for the design work provided by The QEH League of Friends, which celebrates its 70th anniversary this July.
Steve Adcock, QEH Building Manager, who is overseeing the garden project, said: “It’s been great to start this important work during Dementia Action Week. I look forward to welcoming our patients into the garden for the summer months.”
Penny Hipkin, Chair of the League of Friends, added: “The League is delighted to be involved in the creation of this important outside space and we can’t wait to see it develop.”
The garden is just one of the projects underway as part of a wider focus on dementia. The QEHKL Charity has already raised £40,000 for a range of therapeutic interventions, including mood boosting activity packs and touch screen devices.
Now the charity is redoubling its efforts to raise an additional £40,000 for even more therapies that are not currently funded by the NHS. Together this work makes a significant difference to the 1,400 patients who receive care at the hospital with this progressive condition by making their stays in hospital more comfortable and dignified.
This week, during Dementia Action Week, the QEHKL Charity fundraising team has been raising awareness and speaking to members of the public and patients about the work happening at the Trust.
Lydia Radford, QEH Fundraising Support Officer, who hosted a special stand in the hospital foyer, said: “It has been great to meet some patients and their loved ones this week. With the support of our local community, we can provide a more comfortable environment for our patients living with dementia to ensure they have the best possible hospital stay.”
To donate to the Dementia Care Appeal, visit justgiving.com/campaign/QEHDementiaCareAppeal or send a cheque payable to ‘Dementia Care Appeal’, The Queen Elizabeth Hospital King’s Lynn, Gayton Road, King’s Lynn, PE30 4ET.
Did you know?
Dementia is a set of symptoms that over time can affect memory, problem-solving, language and behaviour. There a four main types with most common being Alzheimer’s and it is predicted that by 2025 there will be one million people in the UK with the condition. Today 52% of UK adults know someone with dementia.
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For further information, please contact Communications Team, media.enquiries@qehkl.nhs.uk or 01553 613216.
To download the press release and photos click here.
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