PATIENTS with dementia are set to receive better care at East Surrey Hospital after nurses and an occupational therapist completed a course highlighting the different care requirements for patients with the condition.
The 15 new "Dementia Care Champions" at the Earlswood hospital explored the wide range of issues surrounding caring for vulnerable patients, including the ward environment, pain relief, communication, and the importance of treating people as individuals.
Nearly 300 patients with dementia were treated at East Surrey Hospital in the last six months of 2012 and this number is expected to grow year-on-year.
Each member of staff will now be allocated to a different ward to educate other staff and improve patient care.
"The staff learnt a more positive way of thinking about dementia and how we can deliver high standard compassionate care," said course organiser Michelle Mayhew. "We are now developing an action plan to put the learning that has taken place into practice and to raise awareness across all staff groups so that they can work together."
According to some of the staff on the course, some of the things they learnt are already being implemented on the wards.
Ward manager Jackie Edwards said: "We are getting family and friends to fill out individual biographies so that we have a much better idea of what our patients are like and what interests them."