BRIDGEWATER Community Healthcare NHS Trust (Bridgewater) is working hard to improve the care offered to thousands of local patients who suffer from dementia.
The Trust welcomed 100 NHS staff and representatives from community organisations at a Dementia Symposium at Haydock Park Racecourse on Wednesday 13 November.
Professor Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director at NHS England for Dementia was the key note speaker at the event which gave attendees the chance to share current evidence and best practice in dementia care and develop ideas for services to support people with dementia.
He stressed the importance of raising awareness of dementia among health and social care professionals and the wider community and at the end of the event delegates were asked to make a pledge about how they would raise awareness of dementia or support increased understanding of the condition.
Bridgewater Medical Director Dr Stephen Ward said: “Around 2150 people in Warrington are estimated to have dementia and these numbers are expected to grow significantly. As a community healthcare provider, we realise that events such as this symposium are crucial in helping improve the health and wellbeing of local dementia sufferers and their families and carers.
“The symposium has given key organisations in the area a chance to hear from national and local experts on dementia, share ideas and explore new ways of working that can really make a difference to the people in the communities we work in.”
Other speakers at the event included Professor Paul Kingston from RAID (Rapid Assessment, Interface and Discharge) as well as representatives from technology firm Cisco, The Alzheimer’s Society, Age UK and the Bee Inspired Dementia Care Programme. Entertainment from Age UK’s Silver Choir based in Wigan also provided one of the highlights of the day.
Sessions at the event also challenged delegates to think about the use of new technology in dementia care and learn about the Alzheimer’s Society’s national Dementia Friends scheme www.dementiafriends.org.uk which enables anyone in England to take a more active role in helping people who are affected by dementia.
Bridgewater working hard to improve dementia care
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Gary Skentelbery
Experienced journalist for more than 40 years. Managing Director of magazine publishing group with three in-house titles and on-line daily newspaper for Warrington. Experienced writer, photographer, PR consultant and media expert having written for local, regional and national newspapers. Specialties: PR, media, social networking, photographer, networking, advertising, sales, media crisis management. Chair of Warrington Healthwatch Director Warrington Chamber of Commerce Patron Tim Parry Johnathan Ball Foundation for Peace. Trustee Warrington Disability Partnership. Former Chairman of Warrington Town FC.
