Hospital Trust signs up to John’s Campaign

The York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust has signed up to a national campaign, which confirms its commitment to improving the experience of patients with dementia and their families when in hospital.

John’s Campaign was founded after the death of Dr John Gerrard in November 2014, by his daughter Nicci, who believes her father, who suffered from Alzheimer’s, would have benefited greatly if she had been able to stay with him during his time as an inpatient.

Nicci now campaigns nationally for the right of carers of patients with dementia to be able to stay with their loved ones while they are in hospital.

Emma George, Assistant Director of Nursing, York Teaching Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, and the Trust’s Lead for Dementia Care said:  “We recognise the importance of listening to and involving carers when someone with dementia is in hospital as we know it leads to improved experience, quality of care and outcomes.

“We are promoting John’s Campaign with staff across all our hospitals to gain their commitment to making carers feel welcome and supported.  A new leaflet is being published, which makes it clear what carers of patients with dementia can expect whilst the patient is in hospital.

“Carers will be offered the flexibility to be with the patient when they are most needed, and that this may often be outside of our regular visiting hours.

“As part of the Trust’s commitment to making all visitors welcome, visiting times across all the Trust’s wards have been extended to 11.00am-8pm, just in time for the festive period.  We hope that patients and their friends and relatives will benefit from the change.   All visiting is at the discretion of the nurse in charge of the ward, who will make sure that needs of all patients are respected; including dignity, privacy and the need for rest.”

Hester Rowell, Lead for Patient Experience said:  “We know from feedback we have received that a stay in hospital can be particularly disorientating for a patient with dementia.  Signing up to John’s Campaign shows we are willing to engage with carers to provide dignified and person-centred care.”

12 December 2016