What is being done?

• The Volunteer Co-ordinator is providing an exceptional service to patients and carers at North Bristol hospitals, supported by the Deputy Director of Nursing.
• A carer’s contract is in place to support carers with parking arrangements, visiting times and travel difficulties etc.
• Training is in place to support the volunteers and a wide range of activities are available Trust wide with specific support for dementia patients provided through dementia befrienders offering hand massage and support at mealtimes.

What is new and different?

The support to carers in particular is extensive.

What difference this seems to be making

Evidence of the hand massage and support at mealtimes was observed by the South West Dementia Partnership Peer Review team.

Plans for taking the project forward

The Deputy Director of Nursing has plans to recruit more volunteers and to roll out the support to carers initiative.