Lady Baroness Finlay visits Rochdale Infirmary

Distinguished guests with Lady Baroness Finlay (centre)

Lady Baroness Finlay paid a visit to Rochdale Infirmary yesterday (Friday 18 October), as it emerged that the hospital plans to open a new unit dedicated to the care of patients with dementia and confusion.

Lady Finlay is a consultant physician and consultant in palliative medicine. She is also Vice President of Marie Curie Cancer Care.

Head of Communications for Pennine Accute Trust, Andrew Lynn said: “Lady Baroness Finlay was keen to see the work of the hospital and see the work being provided to patients and carers.”

The NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group has commissioned the development of the new facility which will allow the assessment and diagnosis of patients with dementia and confusion presenting
acute medical conditions.

The Oasis Unit will be a five bedded unit and will offer patients, who present or who are referred to the hospital with a safe and suitable purpose built environment to support recovery and access to nursing/mental health staff.

Andrew added: “This unit will be the first of its kind and will offer a fully safe and friendly environment for patients.”

Rochdale Council is also supporting the development with Councillor Linda Robinson was present for Lady Finlay's visit, she said: “I am really looking forward to this development.”

Dr Lynn Hampson, clinical lead for urgent care at NHS HMR CCG, said: “The specialist medical support provided by nurses and mental health staff at the Oasis Unit will enhance the care of frail, elderly patients affected by dementia who arrive at hospital with acute medical conditions.

“It’s a unique project that also showcases the importance of and continued partnership working that is happening across healthcare services in the Rochdale borough to improve care for patients. It is also another example of our commitment to deliver more services locally, which was outlined in the statement of intent we signed alongside The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust and Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust in 2012.”

Lady Finlay was shown around the Clinical Assessment Unit and the Urgent Care Centre of Rochdale Infirmary as well as being shown plans for the new development.