We’re delighted that the EHE project at Belvedere has been shortlisted for the Arts and Health South West Awards 2012! There are three categories: submission by an arts organisation, health organisation or by an individual. The awards ceremony takes place in Bristol at the end of June, when we will be asked to give a 5 minute presentation on the project.
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Two short videos have been uploaded to You Tube: one documents the three artist-led workshops in which people using our service, staff and carers all contributed to creating artwork for Belvedere (the felt wall-hanging, leaf-resist clay tiles and the ‘Golden hands’ print project).
http://youtu.be/fO5vlJL0cyA
The second provides a tour of the new unit and includes clips of somebody using the service engaging brilliantly with the artwork, which stimulates memories and personal connections and encourages his own storytelling. A member of staff gives her perspective on the impact of the new environment.
http://youtu.be/54xDYnerZjc
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Another opportunity to spread the word on environmental design: this time at Devon Partnership Trust’s annual Occupational Therapy conference, celebrating the diverse and innovative work being carried out by Occupational Therapists in Devon. An inspiring day! Thank you to Juliana – carer representative on the King’s Fund EHE team – for another powerful introduction which was very hard to follow. You speak from the heart and your passion and commitment to improve things for people requiring a hospital admission shines through. Thank you also to Sarah Joy for organising the day, all the fabulous presenters and to everyone who gave such positive feedback.
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The South West Dementia Partnership conference (see below) provided lots of food for thought and stories of inspiring practice. Feedback from people attending the ‘Enhancing the Healing Environment’ masterclass was very positive. Lots of interesting questions were posed, particularly about what has worked well, use of colour and the process of commissioning artists. There was particular interest in toilet signage – a simple and cost-effective way of making a real difference to the independence and dignity of those with dementia.
copyright C.Clarke
At Belvedere, we are using new, specially designed toilet signage that combines shape, word and image, giving people three possible ways of interpreting the information. Colours conform with DDA requirements and the black outline ensures that the sign stands out from the background it is placed on. The signage is used consistently throughout the unit on toilet doors in shared areas and on the en-suite doors. A version with a directional arrow assists people with way-finding. Early indications suggest that the signage is helping a significant number of people maintain their independence and dignity. If you’d like more information, please contact c.clarke4@nhs.net .
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Tagged dementia, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, environment, hospital, signage
On 12th March the South West Dementia Partnership is holding its third annual conference in Exeter. It will be an opportunity to hear about some of the excellent work already taking place in the region’s hospitals, to share good practice and get inspired to do more. Key speakers will include Sarah Waller from the King’s Fund.
Seven ‘Masterclasses’ are taking place, covering: Caring with Compassion, Improving the Individual Experience, Enhancing the Healing Environment, Building a Force for Change, Nutrition – Getting the Basics Right, Volunteers as Partners in Care, and Carers and Experts by Experience as Partners in Care. The Belvedere Project will be represented in the Enhancing the Healing Environment Group, alongside the Taunton EHE team, amongst others.
It’ll be interesting to hear about developments within acute trusts, where it must be particularly challenging to meet the needs of those with dementia.
For more information, go to: www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk .
The team travelled to London recently to join other EHE teams from 2009 and 2010 to share news of the innovative work that has taken place under the King’s Fund’s Enhancing the Healing Environment programme.
Projects demonstrated a rich and varied approach, but with a common goal: to improve the experience of people with dementia who require a hospital admission, their carers and the staff who work with them. By consulting widely and incorporating the views of those using these services, and basing designs on the latest evidence, hospital environments have been transformed into spaces that help reduce distress and confusion for those living with dementia.
Outcomes from completed projects are demonstrating the value of this approach in both human and financial terms: 1. A reduction in anxiety/agitation, leading to a reduction in antipsychotic medication being used 2. Improved sleep patterns for patients 3.Greater job satisfaction and improved staff retention 4. Culture change: environmental changes have led to new ways of working 5. An improved experience for carers visiting their loved ones. 6. Greater community involvement and partnerships. 
The EHE programme demonstrates how, for a relatively small investment, hospital environments can be transformed to improve the patient experience. The challenge is now for teams to advocate this approach to healthcare and disseminate the principles of good design more widely within the NHS and in the care sector.
With thanks to the King’s Fund and Devon Partnership Trust for making this possible.
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Tagged dementia, Devon Partnership NHS Trust, environment, hospital, King's Fund
