Scunthorpe General Hospital opens new ‘dementia friendly’ facilities
Scunthorpe General Hospital opens new ‘dementia friendly’ facilities
Scunthorpe General Hospital has opened refurbished facilities designed to provide a more welcoming environment for patients living with dementia at its Church Lane site.
The work has transformed a bay and side room, with changes intended to make the area feel less clinical and more familiar. The improvements include new flooring and adjustable lighting, helping staff create a calmer setting for patients receiving care.
The refurbishment was funded by a £326,000 legacy left to the hospital by Elizabeth Fairchild, a former Scunthorpe resident. The work was delivered through a partnership involving the Northern Lincolnshire and Goole NHS Foundation Trust’s Capital Projects team, The Health Free Foundation charity and the Vulnerabilities Team.
Ms Fairchild was born in Scunthorpe before moving to America. Her relatives later established her connection to the town after she developed dementia in later life, leading to the legacy being used to support dementia-friendly improvements at the hospital.
The refurbished area is part of a wider programme across Scunthorpe General Hospital. A second bay is also due to be refurbished in the coming months.
Emily Bexton, Matron for the Acute and Emergency Medicine Care Group, said the changes would help provide a more supportive environment and reduce confusion and anxiety for patients living with dementia.
She added that the acute short-stay ward has a high turnover of patients, meaning the improvements would enhance the patient experience.