1. Medicine for Older People, Rehabilitation and Stroke
A Dementia Friendly Environment
A presentation by
Carol Burrows and Emma Brown
Medicine for Older People | Portsmouth Hospitals NHS Trust

2. Background F4 Life cycle works Opportunity to make meaningful changes
Kings Fund - “ideas that change healthcare”
more supportive care environment
ease distress
reduce agitation
encourage independence and
promote safety

3. Where we were We had Identical bed bays
Poor acoustics (sounds appeared louder because of thin ceiling tiles)
Wide corridors – no handrails
Harsh lighting
Shiny hard flooring
Poor signage

4. What We Changed We introduced Colour coded rooms Red toilet seats
New ceiling tiles with sound proofing
Coloured handrails
Improved lighting with dimmer switches and an even distribution of light
Cushion flooring (wood effect) to all patient rooms
New signage – large bold lettering

5. What We Changed Visual Prompts
All exit doors, emergency exits and offices were painted white to blend in with surrounding walls
All patient friendly areas for example bathrooms were painted blue
Three point reference to each bed space
Date and time clocks in all rooms
Signs in rooms stating ward and hospital

6. Ideas that changed healthcare
Outcomes
Ideas that changed healthcare
The simple interventions on F4 made a real difference to the environment.
A dementia capital bid was placed with the DoH in 2013 to replicate this work on other acute wards in MOPRS.
We received a grant of £465,000 for works to be completed on F4 and rolled out to G2, G3 and G4
Work now complete

7. Outcomes
Memory Lane
Provides a calming environment for patients who struggle with anxiety, agitation and need some time away from the clinical area.
Portsmouth University and City Museum have supported this by providing us with stimulating artefacts, artwork and decoration ideas.
Large flat screen TV to be used for DVDs, photos and music.

8. Questions?