More support for patients living with dementia is now on hand at Stepping Hill Hospital and community NHS services, thanks to a new training programme for staff and volunteers.

They are training as ‘Dementia Friends’, part of a national initiative to provide more awareness of the particular needs which people with the condition have, to make sure they can be met and understood.

The training is provided by Mamoona Hood, the Matron for Dementia Care at Stockport NHS Foundation Trust which runs hospital and community services. Since the programme started in January the trust now has over 40 Dementia Friends, with the number rising weekly.

The Dementia Friends will not only be able to provide better care for these patients and visitors, but also help their colleagues to do so too.

Around 1,300 patients a year being treated at Stepping Hill Hospital are living with dementia. The training follows other new dementia friendly initiatives in recent months. Wards have been decorated in colours more soothing to patients with dementia, and dementia friendly clocks and signage provided for wards as well.

At the hospital’s Memory Café which is styled from previous decades to provide a calming and supportive environment, therapeutic sessions including pampering and stimulation activities are also being held too.

Mamoona Hood said “We’re determined to provide the most supportive environment we can for patients with dementia, so I’m delighted we’ve had such a positive response from staff and volunteers in taking up the training as Dementia Friends. I’ve found a real enthusiasm for learning among those taking part, and I’m sure this will be learning will be shared with their colleagues in making our services in both the hospital and community as dementia friendly as we can.”