Hywel Dda puts dementia care in the spotlight

More than 400 healthcare workers increased their awareness of dementia at a special event in Withybush Hospital, Haverfordwest.
The conference was the first of its kind, providing an opportunity for those involved in the care of dementia patients to increase their knowledge of specific care requirements and share best practice.
Presentations were made by Hywel Dda Health Board staff, as well as private and voluntary agencies, covering a variety of topics, from managing nutrition in dementia care to dementia specific issues in managing pain.
A poster presentation and dementia information room detailed the innovative work carried out by the Health Board including the Butterfly Scheme, which identifies patients with dementia thus highlighting their care needs. The scheme, initially rolled out at Withybush Hospital, was the first of its kind to be launched in Wales.
Withybush Hospital Sister Lisa Marshall said : "We are absolutely delighted with the attendance and the support from hospital management and staff. From those staff delivering the presentations to those helping with teas and coffees, without them it would not have been the success it was."
The conference was held at a critical time for dementia care in Pembrokeshire, with the number of people in the county developing the condition set to rise dramatically over the next decade.
Dementia Co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire, Tom Alexander said: “Year-on-year hospitals and care agencies are seeing increases in the number of people with dementia and we are now at a stage where 25% of all hospital beds are occupied by someone with dementia.
“Pembrokeshire is set to have one of the largest rises in dementia in the next ten years, with numbers set to almost double. Therefore, I am really happy we have significantly raised the awareness and profile of dementia locally and are very thankful to those that attended and participated in the event."

Photo:
Dementia Co-ordinator for Pembrokeshire, Tom Alexander and Sister Lisa Marshall raising awareness of the Butterfly Scheme.