Hospital creates colourful dementia-friendly ward

A new dementia-friendly ward has been created at Peterborough City Hospital

An NHS hospital has created a dementia-friendly ward for patients living with the condition.

A ward at Peterborough City Hospital has been renovated with brightly-painted doors and walls and nature-inspired stickers, to help transform the clinical environment into a "dementia-friendly" space.

The refurbishment has been funded by North West Anglia Hospitals' Charity – which relies on donations, fundraising and legacies received from patients, hospital staff, their relatives and the general public.

According to the trust, research has proven that a more homely setting has a positive impact on the health and wellbeing of patients both mentally and physically.

'Quality of life'

Alison Gray, a dementia specialist nurse at North West Anglia Foundation Trust, said: “Developing the ward space into a calming and therapeutic area will evoke memories of being in a comfortable and a familiar environment, and the calming effect it can have, is amazing.

“When a person living with dementia is trying to make sense of the world around them, their immediate surroundings can make all the difference to their quality of life."

The hospital’s charity aims to help fund projects to enhance the experience of patients.

Vivienne Carter, a housekeeper on the ward, said: "The wall graphics have provided a more welcoming, lovely environment for our patients. The disguised exit and entrance doors work also well for distraction and redirection therapy.”