Rochdale Infirmary staff walk for a world without dementia

Staff from Rochdale Infirmary’s Urgent Care Centre, Clinical Assessment Unit, Oasis Unit and the Intermediate Care Unit joined forces to take part in a sponsored Memory Walk for dementia

Staff from Rochdale Infirmary’s Urgent Care Centre, Clinical Assessment Unit, Oasis Unit (for dementia patients) and the newly opened Intermediate Care Unit joined forces and pulled on their walking boots on Saturday 26 September 2015 to take part in a sponsored Memory Walk for dementia.

The walk, organised by the Alzheimer’s Society, took place in Heaton Park in Manchester and was attended by over 5000 people. Staff joined the group and walked 10 kilometres around the park raising money through sponsorship, which will be donated to the Alzheimer’s Society.

The total raised so far has reached in excess of £500 which will go towards raising much needed funds to support the Alzheimer’s Society with research and service development.

Lou Harkness-Hudson, Clinical Matron at Rochdale Infirmary run by The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The whole day was really inspirational. As we walked around the park we saw many examples of how dementia affects so many lives and how we can all make a difference. There were lots of moving stories and people of all ages and abilities taking part. We had a wonderful day and we all felt really humbled by the event. As a team we were very proud to be walking towards a world without dementia.”

On 4 April 2014 a brand new medical unit called the Oasis Unit opened at Rochdale Infirmary which is developed purely for patients with dementia from Rochdale borough. The Oasis Unit is a five-bed facility which allows the assessment and diagnosis of patients with dementia and confusion arriving with acute medical conditions, either through the Urgent Care Centre, the Clinical Assessment Unit (CAU) or through direct GP referral. The ‘dementia friendly’ environment has enhanced nurse staffing ratios and the specialist input of Registered Mental Nurses with daily medical input from doctors provided by the CAU medical staff.

Alzheimer’s Society Memory Walks have been taking place across England, Wales and Northern Ireland this September to raise money for dementia. Thousands of people have taken part, of all ages and abilities, and come together to celebrate loved ones affected by dementia, and to raise money.