First stop for South Eastern Health Trust’s dementia experience bus

The Virtual Dementia Tour Bus, hosted by the South Eastern Health & Social Care Trust and facilitated by Paula Bradshaw, MLA, Robbie Butler, MLA, Liz Kimmins, MLA and Andrew Muir, MLA pulled into Stormont for the first time to allow MLAs from across Northern Ireland to participate in a ‘Virtual Dementia’ training experience.
By Julie-Ann Spence
Published 29th Jun 2022, 10:26 BST
South Eastern Trust Staff: Tracey Kane (Service Improvement Lead), Ivan Ferris (Dementia Services Co-Ordinator), Nicki Patterson (Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Nursing, Primary Care & Older Peoples Services), Jonathan Patton (Chairman), Deirdre Lewis (Nurse Consultant), Claire-Marie Dickson (Asst. Director Primary Care) & Fiona Rooney (Dementia Service Lead)South Eastern Trust Staff: Tracey Kane (Service Improvement Lead), Ivan Ferris (Dementia Services Co-Ordinator), Nicki Patterson (Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Nursing, Primary Care & Older Peoples Services), Jonathan Patton (Chairman), Deirdre Lewis (Nurse Consultant), Claire-Marie Dickson (Asst. Director Primary Care) & Fiona Rooney (Dementia Service Lead)
South Eastern Trust Staff: Tracey Kane (Service Improvement Lead), Ivan Ferris (Dementia Services Co-Ordinator), Nicki Patterson (Deputy Chief Executive/Director of Nursing, Primary Care & Older Peoples Services), Jonathan Patton (Chairman), Deirdre Lewis (Nurse Consultant), Claire-Marie Dickson (Asst. Director Primary Care) & Fiona Rooney (Dementia Service Lead)

The training is a scientifically proven method of helping others understand what people with Dementia experience every day and provides ‘a window into their world’.

Those undertaking the training experience at first hand the physical and mental challenges facing those with Dementia, with even the most simplistic of tasks becoming arduous and deflating.

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The Trust is delighted to be hosting the Virtual Dementia Tour Bus for the fourth time in four years, having now provided this training experience for over 2000 people. Participants have included frontline staff and family carers, ambulance, fire service staff, PSNI and prison services amongst many others.

Paula Bradshaw, MLA experiencing the trainingPaula Bradshaw, MLA experiencing the training
Paula Bradshaw, MLA experiencing the training

Nicki Patterson, Deputy Chief Executive & Director of Nursing, Older People & Primary Care (South Eastern HSC Trust) said: “The feedback we have received from participants has been overwhelmingly positive. Those that have undertaken the training have said that it was the best they have experienced and it provided them with an insight into the experience of Dementia. They now feel better informed to be able to provide the high quality care for patients with Dementia when needed.”

Deirdre Lewis, Nurse Consultant, (South Eastern HSC Trust) added: “We are delighted to be able to host the Virtual Dementia Tour at Stormont. This experiential training is continuing to have a huge impact to everyone who attends, with participants recognising that simply having Dementia ‘enabling’ environments and a supportive approach with a smile, can make a huge difference to the lives of people living with Dementia in our communities.“

Related topics:DementiaRobbie ButlerPeople