THE work a Black Country hospital trust has been doing with patients living with dementia and learning disabilities has been nationally recognised at a prestigious awards ceremony.

The Dementia, Delirium and Distress (DDD) team at Sandwell and West Birmingham Hospitals NHS Trust, which runs Rowley Regis Hospital, scooped the ‘personalisation of care’ gong, at the Patient Experience Network National Awards 2017.

Judges praised the team for their innovative approach that focuses on patients’ needs and ensures they receive appropriate care when they are in hospital.

Gemma Diss, lead nurse for Dementia and Learning Disabilities at the trust, said: “We are delighted to receive this prestigious award and be recognised for our work in supporting patients with dementia and learning disabilities.

“We have been organising a number of training sessions for our staff through which they gain a good knowledge and understanding of dementia, delirium and learning disabilities. Staff also have the opportunity to role play, in order to recognise patients’ needs and understand why they may get distressed whilst staying in hospital.

“Through education and engaging with patients, carers and staff, we aim to build a new culture where patients are treated based on their needs, not diagnoses.”

The trust has also been shortlisted for a Health Service Journal Value Award for its work in improving the care of respiratory patients.

The nomination follows a redesign in the respiratory service so patients can receive better care, not only in a hospital setting but also within the community.

The redesign project is part of the Future Hospital Programme, which selected four hospitals in the country to deliver new models of care.

Dr Arvind Rajasekaran, consultant respiratory physician who is also the lead for redesigning the service, said: “We are delighted that our work has been nationally recognised and this recognition will only spur the clinical team to strive for greater innovation and better care for our patients.

“The outcomes of the project so far have shown that with proactive and joined up care we can achieve a reduction in the number of respiratory patients having to visit to A&E for their condition.

“We can see that this model is working well and making a difference to patients.”

The winners will be announced at the award ceremony in Manchester on June 7.