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"Not giving the patient time, compassion and respect"

About: Craigavon Area Hospital / Ear, Nose and Throat

(as a carer),

My father with dementia had an appointment to look at removing a cancerous growth.

As part of the referral my father's reticence to get the growth removed was included. During the appointment the consultant spoke over my father, asking me questions about him, which my father picked up and strengthened his resolve to refuse. I feel had my father been given time, some compassion and respect this outcome could have been different.

I understand the pressures staff are under, but it is important for staff to also understand the pressures service users are under and give them compassion.

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Responses

Response from Naoimh McGlone, Service Improvement Lead for Dementia, Adult Community Services Directorate, Southern Health and Social Care Trust nearly 2 years ago
We are preparing to make a change
Naoimh McGlone
Service Improvement Lead for Dementia, Adult Community Services Directorate,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 09/08/2023 at 13:51
Published on Care Opinion on 10/08/2023 at 08:31


Hi nuthatchsc66;

My name is Naoimh, I am the Service Improvement Lead for Dementia in Southern Trust Hospitals. Thank you for taking time to leave feedback and to make us aware of what your father has experienced.

I am sorry to hear that your father was not spoken to directly, and I can understand why you feel things may have been different if a different approach was used.

The SHSCT has been working with a group of people living with Dementia to co-produce a training resource for all staff called "Hear Our Voice" which is targeted at all staff within the Trust. The aim of this project is to improve how we support people with dementia accessing our services. I am hopeful that this will go some way in addressing your concerns, as the issues you have raised are explicitly addressed in this training.

If you are interested in discussing this further with me contact me on naoimh.mcglone@southerntrust.hscni.net or call 07841469560.

Thank you.

Naoimh

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Response from Christine Armstrong, Care Opinion Facilitator, Executive Directorate of Nursing Midwifery, AHP’s and Functional Support Services, Southern Health and Social Care Trust 4 weeks ago
We have made a change
Christine Armstrong
Care Opinion Facilitator, Executive Directorate of Nursing Midwifery, AHP’s and Functional Support Services,
Southern Health and Social Care Trust
Submitted on 05/03/2025 at 17:27
Published on Care Opinion on 06/03/2025 at 10:14


picture of Christine Armstrong

Dear nuthatchsc66 - I am the Care Opinion Facilitator in the Southern Health and Social Care Trust and wanted to post an update on behalf of the Dementia team. The video which Naoimh referred to in her response has now been produced and is an excellent source of learning for staff. There are also ongoing plans for further training for staff when caring for people with dementia.

In addition there has been the launch of the "Purple Heart" project in our Emergency Departments (EDs)

This project simply allows Emergency Department staff to place a purple heart on the patients notes and the patient is also given the opportunity to wear a purple wristband so that hospital staff recognise they have difficulty with their memory and can offer support if needed.

In doing so we are making them aware that this patient requires extra support when they are making decisions or choices.

As part of the project, the ED team have engaged with Dementia NI on how they can support dementia patients in ED.

As their journey continues through ED, we support them with the ‘This is Me’ document. This document is created in partnership with the relatives or carers of the family member and is aimed at providing staff with additional information about the person, their preferences, hobbies and interests to support engagement, reduce distress and promote dementia informed care

I hope that this update will be helpful in providing assurance to you that we are striving to make improvements in caring for patients with dementia.

With best wishes

Christine

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