"The connection the nurse made was miraculous"

I attended my father's recent appointment at the Memory Clinic at Tolworth Hospital in Surrey. My father has Vascular Dementia and is very much in denial, given he is naturally obstinate too, getting him to understand, admit, take medication or advice on anything to do with his condition is extremely hard and he puts my mother under huge pressure not to pursue any assistance or medical advice (as even though he has a diagnosis, according to my dad, he doesn't need it).

I stayed over night at my parents and on the morning of the appointment, almost on cue, my father began to react angrily at the prospect of having to head to the Memory Clinic for his memory test. As I was there, and had managed to reason with him a little, we got him to Tolworth Hospital. We were met by Neill, the psychiatric nurse who would conduct the memory test with my father.

Amazing! What a brilliant experience. Neill put my dad at ease straight away. Was totally knowledgeable in all areas of my dad's condition and so able to answer all questions put forward by my mum and I. We were with Neill for an hour and he connected with dad so well the hour flew by. My dad laughed and joked throughout the time we were in the room with Neill and left saying what a great time he'd had with Neill.

I know these nurses are trained, but the connection Neill managed to make so quickly with my father, to me - was nothing short of miraculous!