Cove Ward, Redruth Community Hospital

Camborne Redruth Community Hospital's Cove Ward has set up a programme to help people come to terms with the impact of dementia on those they care for. The ward team identified a need to improve support for carers and families visiting the ward.

The ward introduced a feedback questionnaire for carers and liaised with community teams to set up a carers support forum, whilst forging stronger links with existing carer support networks. Nursing staff now provide round the clock intensive care and support for both patients and families, with staffing resources increased to ensure people's needs are met.

The result is a ward that has a family feel, with staff who take the time to get to know carers as well as patients. A continuous process of listening to and acting on feedback from staff, carers and patient's suggestions means that changes are permanent.

A more flexible approach to visiting has also been introduced, so that carers are more involved. The increase in carer support and involvement has led to several carers venturing into fundraising to create a sensory garden for patients on Cove Ward.

A carer, whose husband was cared for on Cove Ward, said: "I always felt listened to by the staff and my ideas were encouraged, discussed and supported where possible. The staff at Cove Ward enabled us to experience his death in a very personal and private way, something we shall always be grateful for."