Patients to benefit from new enhanced care team

A new team at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead will provide personalised overnight care for some of its most vulnerable patients.

The Enhanced Care Team, which is made up of healthcare assistants and will be supported by the Acute Response Team (ART), will provide overnight therapeutic care to patients who may have dementia, cognitive issues or patients with conditions that may require more specialised interventions.

Their role will involve helping to maintain a calm and therapeutic environment to support our patients, offering reassurance and encouraging the patient to be mobile, when appropriate.

They will also help patients with therapeutic activities and work with their families for the very best outcome.

Christine Fawcett, Dementia Nurse Practitioner, said: “Our new Enhanced Care Team will provide very personalised care which will enhance the wellbeing and recovery of some of our most vulnerable patients.

“This level of engagement will allow the team to tune in to what the patient enjoys doing. For example, they may want to draw, do a word search or have their nails painted, need support talking to family or friends via the telephone or video calling– it’s very much led by what the patient wants to do.”