Published on: 30th November 2017
A local NHS trust has been recognised in national awards celebrating the best practice in healthcare. This year’s Positive Practice in Mental Health awards saw Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust (LPFT) awarded for dementia care and care for young people with mental health problems.
Langworth Ward, a 17-bed specialist assessment and treatment unit for people with dementia, won the Older People’s Mental Health and Dementia category for their work on a personalised sensory toolkit.
The toolkit uses innovative, sensory activities such as memory boxes, personalised themed rummage boxes and pet animals to engage people staying on the ward. It also helps the staff manage the complex behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia and enhance patient safety.
Jacky Tyson, Occupational Therapist Technical Instructor, said:
We use sensory toolkits to learn about what individual patients are interested in and we work with their relatives and carers to develop activities focussing on sight, sound, touch and taste. The toolkit helps us to remember that behind the illness there is a person with their own personality likes and dislikes. We’re thrilled to have won and we’re looking forward to sharing our positive practice with other organisations.
Locally we have recruited support from an army of volunteers and local businesses which support us with developing props for activities. It’s a brilliant example of how everyone working together – from the ward staff to the local community – can make a real difference to the lives of some of our most vulnerable patients.
The North East Lincolnshire Child and Adolescent Mental Health Service (CAMHS) were also highly commended at the ceremony, in the Innovation in Children and Young People’s Mental Health category.
Dr Tracey Urquhart, Service Manager, said she was delighted with the team’s second shortlisting and being highly commended.
It’s great news that the support we offer local families has once again been recognised nationally.
LPFT Chief Executive, Dr John Brewin, added:
Lincolnshire is often overlooked on the national arena so we’re incredibly proud that two of our services have repeated their success with national awards this year. There is a lot of outstanding work taking place locally and congratulations go to both teams on their achievements.
The Positive Practice in Mental Health Awards are run by the Positive Practice Mental Health Collaborative, which is made up of 75 organisations from across the country including NHS trusts, clinical commissioning groups, police forces, third sector providers, front line charities and service user groups. The winners were announced on 12 October 2017 at the Imperial Hotel, Blackpool.
