Page 9 - Real Rochdale - Autumn 2018

Oasis of Calm

Rochdale Infirmary’s Oasis Unit is the first ward A plethora of books fills the library, featuring tomes
in the UK to offer a specialised environment for about the local area and newspapers from days
patients with dementia. past, plus photographs of local areas to aid with
remembering. Familiar wireless radios can also be
The unit originally opened in 2014, providing a safe found on the ward, and the staff have even made a
and suitable space for those living with dementia modern flat screen television appear more as one
and confusion, supporting recovery and access to from decades gone by.
nursing and mental health staff.
The team also uses an ingenious invention called
Here, everything you thought you knew about ‘RemPods’ which are therapeutic pop-up
hospitals is flipped on its head, with 10 colourful reminiscence rooms. When Real Rochdale visited,
bedrooms, a relaxing lounge, dining area, library the current set up was a sunny beach hut and
and a calm room. cocktail bar, ideal for jogging memories about holi-
days with families.
The Oasis Unit, funded by NHS Heywood, Middle-
ton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group, Ward Manager Rhiannon Lloyd said: “The service
was implemented by Clinical Matron Louisa Hark- is very individual, as there are many different types
ness Hudson and then-sister Rhiannon Lloyd, with of dementia and confusion. We try to make things
staff playing an integral part in its design. as normal as possible. Without the Oasis Unit, the
patients would be on another hospital ward where
Everything is more relaxed on this ward, which they can be seen as a nuisance.”
feels more like home than a hospital. Each bedroom The support offered by the Oasis Unit continues af- ‘Ideal for jogging memories’
is colour co-ordinated to help patients identify There are no visiting hours as the ward is always ter a user has been discharged, working alongside
their own room, with numbers on the doors. open and has space for families to stay over. mental health nurses, social workers and end of life

care.

Patients on the Oasis Unit are treated to regular
activities, such as tea parties, craft afternoons and
movie nights. Schoolchildren have visited to prac-
tice their reading skills. Hot breakfasts are on the
menu and patients are not discouraged from eating
in their rooms if they wish.

There are two consultants on the ward with two
trained nurses and two untrained, which allows for
individual time with each service user.

There are no plans to extend the 10-bed unit, and
staff are currently raising funds for a specialised
garden, designed for dementia patients.

Rhiannon Lloyd added: “We have been asking
what they would have in a garden if money was no
object. We have some way to go, but we are really
looking forward to how we can help the patients
outdoors as well.”
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