New sensory ward for patients with dementia

16 December 2011 - King’s College Hospital has become the first hospital in London to completely transform one of its older people wards into a unique, sensory environment.

Lisa Matron DeJonge with a patient on the new Marjory Warren Ward

The ward – named after British geriatrician Dr Marjory Warren – has undergone a £265,000 refurbishment, thanks to donations from the King’s Fund, the hospital’s Friends of King's, as well as the hospital.

The ward was formally opened on Thursday 15 December, and boasts mood lighting to help patients relax and reduce agitation as well as non-slip wood effect flooring.

It also has new signage to make it easier for patients to find their way around the ward, as well as artwork showing a full London skyline to help trigger memory. There are also memory boxes along the ward corridor to help spark conversation among patients and their carers.

Dementia affects more than 68,000 people in London alone, with symptoms including loss of memory, confusion and problems with speech and understanding.

Emma Ouldred, Dementia Nurse Specialist at King’s, said “The new ward is already providing a friendlier and more relaxing environment for patients with dementia, and their relatives. I am so pleased that we have been able to enhance the environment for this vulnerable group of patients, to ensure they have meaningful and appropriate activity and stimulation.”

Dr Catherine Bryant, Consultant Physician on Marjory Warren ward added: “I am sure the new ward will provide a rewarding environment for staff and a truly caring environment for patients.”

The ward also has a mural, designed and produced by Dulwich Picture Gallery, with the help of King’s staff, patients and their carers.

For further information please contact:
Anna Sykes
Communications Manager
annasykes@nhs.net
Extension: +44 (0)20 3299 3850
Fax: +44 (0)20 3299 3207
Notes to editors

1. King’s College Hospital NHS Foundation Trust is one of the UK’s largest and busiest teaching hospitals, with nearly 7,000 staff providing around 1,000, 000 patient contacts a year. King’s has a unique profile, with a full range of local hospital services for people in the London boroughs of Lambeth and Southwark as well as specialist services to patients from further afield. The Trust is recognized internationally for its work in liver disease and transplantation, neurosciences, cardiac, haemato-oncology, stroke and major trauma. King’s also plays a key role in the training and education of medical, nursing and dental students with its academic partner, King’s College London. For more information, visit http://www.kch.nhs.uk

2. King’s College Hospital and Guy’s and St Thomas’ are both part of King’s Health Partners Academic Health Sciences Centre (AHSC), a pioneering collaboration between King’s College London, and Guy’s and St Thomas’, King’s College Hospital and South London and Maudsley NHS Foundation Trusts.

King’s Health Partners is one of only five AHSCs in the UK and brings together an unrivalled range and depth of clinical and research expertise, spanning both physical and mental health. Our combined strengths will drive improvements in care for patients, allowing them to benefit from breakthroughs in medical science and receive leading edge treatment at the earliest possible opportunity.

For more information, visit http://www.kingshealthpartners.org