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Southampton General Hospital has opened a new, 28-bed 'dementia-friendly' ward in Hampshire, UK to provide improved care and treatment to the dementia patients.

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Dementia patients can be extremely confused in a hospital environment, particularly when they require medical treatment. To cater to the special needs of such patients, the hospital embarked on this project.

The new ward features various innovations, such as brightly coloured doors to help patients remember which bay they are staying in; and images such as umbrellas, lighthouses and starfish instead of bed numbers to provide a visual memory aid.

Cleaning stores and staff offices, which are off-limits for patients, have been designed to blend with surrounding walls. The nurses’ station has also been lowered and renamed ‘reception’ to improve accessibility and ensure patients feel more comfortable to approach.

Additionally, paperwork is locked in cupboards to keep the area clutter-free. The hospital has also lifted visiting time restrictions to give access to carers and relatives at any time of the day or night.

The hospital has also introduced the UK’s first hospital-based specialist nurse. Until now, mental health nurses who specialise in dementia care, known as Admiral Nurses, have formed part of community nursing teams. In the newly-created hospital post, these Admiral Nurses will shadow clinical staff and oversee a training and development programme which will look at understanding patients’ body language, and how to handle those who do not interact verbally.