The Western Health and Social Care Trust has joined a national campaign which supports the rights of carers to stay with patients with dementia in hospital and care homes.
John’s Campaign was founded after the death of Dr John Gerrard in November 2014 who had been diagnosed with Alzheimer’s in his mid-70s but with the support of his family he had a good quality of life living at home.
After a hospital admission for a leg ulcer at the age of 86, Dr Gerrard experienced a severe decline in his wellbeing – attributed in part to the restrictions applied to visits from his family.
350 hospitals across the UK have since joined the campaign, and the Western Trust is delighted to be involved.
The number of people in Northern Ireland with dementia is steadily increasing. In recent years it has been estimated that 19,765 people are living with dementia in Northern Ireland, and with this figure set to increase to 60,000 by the year 2051.
Based on the most recent figures from the Alzheimer’s Society there are 2,830 people estimated to have dementia living in the Western Trust area.
Pictured on Ward 42 (Acute Care of Older People) at Altnagelvin Hospital in Derry in support of the John’s campaign are; Alan Corry Finn, Director of Primary Care and Older People; Geraldine Brown, Assistant Director Secondary Care; Paul McElwee, Charge Nurse Ward 42; Deirdre Harkin, Dementia Champion and Majella Magee, Assistant Service Manager, Older Peoples Mental Health.
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