"Vital service"

Dear Cm07

My name is Nicola Hayes and I am the Dementia Service Improvement Lead for Hospitals and I manage the Dementia Companion Service.

Thank you for your feedback story with regards to ‘Vital Service’ and thank you for taking the time to post this story, at a time when your Granny was recently unwell and in hospital. I hope your Granny's physical health has improved from this time.

It is disappointing to read that without the support of the Dementia Companion Service, that you felt on your own without any help or further understanding. This is an area that we are currently discussing within our service to ascertain what changes we can make with regards to communication and information.

Person centred care is paramount within dementia care and this has been evidenced throughout your experience of Brendan. I am glad that the support Brendan offered your Granny through effective communication and therapeutic activities was supportive not only to your Granny, but also what you observed supported you as a family at this difficult time.

Providing time and compassion is the cornerstone and ethos of the Dementia Companion Service and in doing so, the Dementia Companions provide individualised care to people living with dementia while in our acute hospital care settings and it gives me great personal and professional satisfaction to read how Brendan has carried out his duties to a high standard, which resulted in a positive experience of being in hospital.

May I thank you again for taking the time to share your experiences with is on Care Opinion.

Your feedback is very welcome to ensure safe, effective, compassionate and well led care is delivered and I will share this story with Brendan and his colleagues.

Best Wishes

Nicola