"Experience on A11"

Thank you so much for taking the time to give us feedback, what you have told us is really important.

I completely understand that sometimes it feels as though there is not enough stimulation on the ward, particularly as you start to feel better however we are currently right in the middle of looking at ways to help engage the staff with our patients in more activities, whether this is simply finding time to sit and reminisce, play a game, or even get outside in a chair if the weather permits. Your feedback really helps to support driving this change.

I see also that you have found the food to not be that great. Whilst there is usually a good range and choice available to suit tastes, we will be making an extra effort to make sure we are assisting our patients with making these choices and finding out about likes and dislikes.

Thank you again for your feedback, it really helps us to make the experience better for the next patient.

Just an update on our planned change regarding a lack of things to do on the ward -

Access to outdoors

We had our initial trial run of our new project last week, whereby we have been assisting patients and their carers to leave the ward environment for a short time and get, at best, outside for some fresh air and a tea or coffee, but at least down to the WRVS café. We have been working on this project for some time with the help of the Dementia Nurse Consultant, Forth Valley's National Dementia Champion, Falkirk Carer's Centre and the Forestry Commission (for the good weather days), and aim to continue to support this once a week.

We would hope that our patients who make use of this project will benefit both from a change in scenery, and from the wealth of information and support that our colleague in the Carer's Centre has to offer.

Things to do

We have updated our activities box with brand new books and photographs, and have invested in some activities tailored specifically towards people with dementia.

We have spent some time and energy in making our relative's room seem less clinical and it is now some way towards being a comfortable area which can be used by both patients and relatives, with new couches and facilities for tea and coffee.

I would like to thank you again for taking the time to give us feedback as it is already contributing towards changes on the ward for the next patients coming through.