Improved care for the elderly at Morpeth
OVER the past year Aileen Beatty has been in the newly-created post of modern matron at Morpeth Cottage Hospital, improving care for patients. The hospital provides rehabilitation and palliative care for older people.
With her background as a mental health nurse and in dementia care, she has been overseeing projects to improve orientation and social interaction at the hospital for their elderly patients.
One initiative includes introducing daily newspapers into the day room.
Aileen said: “Over the past year the team and I have made a number of positive changes to improve care for patients. One of my interests is the effect social isolation has on people who are in hospital, particularly those with dementia or delirium.
“It's sometimes the smallest things that can make a big difference. Patients having a choice of newspapers has been really successful in encouraging patients to talk to each other. Staff have made the day room more welcoming to encourage patients to use it.”
A hospital environment can be disorientating, so the team at Morpeth have put up large picture signs to ensure patients can locate the toilets easily. There are also large-faced clocks with a calendar so patients don't lose track of the time or days, especially if they're in hospital for a length of time.
Some local artists have loaned paintings to the ward which brighten up the environment.
Future plans the team are working on include creating an enclosed patio area so patients have more opportunity to go outside for a breath of fresh air.
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