Dementia-friendly crockery provided for wards, thanks to fundraisers

 

Staff at Blackpool Victoria Hospital with the new crockery

DEMENTIA patients across the Fylde coast are to benefit from bespoke cutlery and crockery thanks to a major donation from hospital charity Blue Skies Hospitals Fund.

The charity has donated £10,000, raised by staff and individuals, in order to purchase a large number of specialist sets of crockery to help dementia patients eat and drink while in hospital.

Karen Smith, Clinical Improvement Lead at Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The cutlery and crockery has been specially designed to help dementia patients to overcome a number of issues that can affect their eating and drinking.

“The design makes them easier to hold for people with weaker grips while the shape of the bowls and spoons means the food stays on them. The place mats are very brightly coloured so they can be seen easier and are extremely sticky so things stay in place and don’t get knocked over so much.

“All the cutlery is brightly coloured too which makes it much easier for those patients who are visually impaired while the beakers are specially designed to people don’t have to put their heads back as far to drink.

“All in all these sets will be a massive help for patients and we are realty grateful to everyone who has helped raise money to fund them.’’

The money was raised through a number of staff fundraising events including the Butterfly Ball, cake sales and other events with many organised by staff at Clifton Hospital.

Kila Redfearn, Head of Blue Skies Hospitals Fund, said: “This is just another way in which charity can help make a real difference to everyday life in the hospital.

“Special thanks go to everyone who has raised funds or donated to the Peace of Mind appeal, we are always blown away with peoples kindness.’’

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