A Derry nurse has won a prestigious award for her work in improving the quality of life of people with Dementia.
Nurse Deirdre Harkin is presented with her award.
Staff Nurse Deirdre Harkin, from Claudy, was presented with a special “Education to Practice” award at the recent Dementia Achievements Conference.
Deirdre began her career at the University of Ulster before becoming a staff nurse in the Trauma and Orthopaedics at Altnagelvin Hospital which admits many patients for treatment that also have an underlying diagnosis of Dementia.
After undertaking a module in “caring for the Dementia patient” and as a result of an audit Deirdre supported by the Department’s manager, introduced a toolkit known as the “purple folder” initiative.
Deirdre also attended the Dementia Services Development Centre Best Practice Training in Dementia Care.
As a facilitator, she then delivered this programme to eight staff members using a cascade approach, creating Dementia champions at ward level.
Awareness sessions on the “purple folder” are provided on the ward by Deidre for all members of the multidisciplinary team and support services.
Deirdre was congratulated on receiving the award by Alan Corry Finn, Director of Primary Care and Older Peoples Services, Western Trust.
He said the work that Deirdre took forward had led to a “real” change in practice and in turn “real” benefits for patients who accessed the Trust’s services and who had Dementia and their families.
He added: “Deirdre won this award for a number of initiatives which helped make Trauma and Orthopaedics a Dementia friendly unit.
“One of these was changing the colour of the documentation folder for patients with Dementia from black to purple – the colour that is used by the Alzheimer’s Society.
“The reason for the folder being purple as opposed to black is that it subtly raises awareness to all staff caring/interacting with the patient that the patient has a diagnosis of Dementia.
“The purple folder is a tangible sign to staff that these patients have special needs due to their Dementia. The folder contains information specific to the patient their needs likes and dislikes and advice and support and guidance to staff and relatives.
“Deirdre also helped introduce a traffic light communication system – specific to nutrition and mobility amongst other needs of the patient.”
He concluded: “These good practices have not stopped at this unit but are now being implemented on to other wards in Altnagelvin.”
Tags: