Following confirmation from local founder of the Global Purple Angel Dementia Campaign, Norrms McNamara, Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust are pleased to announce they are the first health and social care provider in the world to have earned the status of ‘Purple Angel dementia-aware.’
Just over 95 per cent of staff working in bed-based care across the Trust have received the Purple Angel dementia awareness training; and 92 per cent of staff across the whole Trust have had the training. This training enables staff to recognise dementia, and to know how to best communicate with and support someone living with the condition. For example, simply allowing more time to explain things and for the person to respond; using gestures or cues to help the person remember things; and encouraging them to carry familiar things with them such as a family photo. The Purple Angel symbol denotes staff have an understanding of dementia and are passionate about raising awareness.
Norrms McNamara was diagnosed with dementia when he was 50 years old. He says: “It has been my honour and privilege to work alongside Torbay and South Devon NHS Foundation Trust for the last four years to promote the Purple Angel. I hope this collaboration will continue well into the future.
“This is a groundbreaking initiative which I hope other Trusts across the UK will take up, and indeed, I would like to see hospitals all around the world become Purple Angel dementia-aware. This ‘world first’ has only been achieved because of the dedication and hard work by not only the staff, but by trainers and the fantastic co-operation from the Executive team.”
Jane Viner, Chief Nurse says: “We are very proud that so many of our staff have taken the Purple Angel dementia-aware training. When someone has dementia, whatever stage of the condition they may be at, it’s very reassuring for them – and also their carers – to see the Purple Angel logo. This immediately gives them the confidence to know that they are in a safe environment where there are staff on-hand who are ‘dementia aware’, who understand what they can do to help to make anyone with dementia feel more comfortable.
“I would like to sincerely thank Norrms and all the volunteers who support the Purple Angel campaign for their dedication. I also want to send out a huge thank you to all our staff and the Trust Board for embracing the initiative and for all the hard work involved in achieving this over the past four years.”
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