One of Cornwall’s two specialist dementia care wards has been shortlisted from over 500 entries for a top national award from the Nursing Times. Cove Ward was selected because of its innovative approach to the care of people with dementia at the end of their life.
Over the last year, changes to the team’s nursing practice mean people with dementia no longer need to transfer to alternative hospital accommodation to die. People can now receive palliative care from a range of experts in a specialist dementia care environment.
“The nursing staff have all been so supportive in their continuing care of Jack, liaising at all times with Dr Stevens from St Julia’s Hospice to ensure his final days were pain, distress free and comfortable. As a family we have been looked after physically and spiritually by all who work here and know Jack.
“We cannot imagine any regime or institution anywhere that would have been a better place than Cove in caring for Jack. Our sincere thanks go to Alison Morris, her team and all of Jack’s doctors for looking after us so capably”
reflected Mrs Haynes.
Alison Morris, the nurse who runs Cove Ward explained
“We embrace and promote the philosophy that dementia is a terminal illness like any number of physical conditions. It’s important for people with terminal illnesses and their families to choose where to die. So we could meet the needs of patients and their families at this critical time, we learnt new skills. We also enable the family to develop the skills and confidence to deal with the fluctuating behaviour associated with dementia. This means they can have has much involvement in the care of their loved one as they want – from taking walks and outings together to cooking a meal in the ward kitchen in the same way they would at home.”
To enable them to provide palliative care, Alison and her team developed a strong relationship with Dr Stevens at St Julia’s Hospice. Dr Stevens visits Cove Ward regularly and supports the team in the provision of palliative care.
Alison and the team on Cove will find out if they have won the Nursing Times Award on Wednesday 18 November at London’s Park Lane Hilton Hotel.
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For further information contact Sarah Fisher or Clair Leyden by telephone 01726291059 or by email sarah.fisher@cpt.cornwall.nhs.uk
Notes to Editors:
Cove Ward is one of two specialist dementia care wards provided by Cornwall Partnership NHS Trust. Cove Ward is based at Longreach House, whilst Garner Ward is located within Bodmin Hospital.
Dementia is a life limiting condition. The number of people in Cornwall with this condition are likely to double in the next 10 years.
The Nursing Times Awards exist to celebrate the nursing profession and to ensure that individual nurses or teams are both recognised and rewarded for work that raises the standard of nursing practice and healthcare in the UK.