King’s Mill Hospital’s new dementia ward will officially open on Monday, January 18 as Woodland Ward.

The new name was chosen by ward staff from dozens of ideas suggested by patients, staff and the public. To support the new name, the common areas of the ward will be decorated with woodland murals and photographs.

Catherine Cheyne, Operational Manager at Sherwood Forest Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust (SFHFT), and Project Manager of the Ward 52 refurbishment, said: “Thank you to everyone who put forward a name suggestion for the ward. We had a great response.

“Staff chose Woodland Ward primarily because the ward overlooks woodland adjacent to the hospital site, but the team also feel the care environment should reflect the colour and calm of a woodland setting.”

Woodland Ward has several new and ground-breaking design features including.

· Innovative mood lighting

· Interior design in styles familiar to older patients

· Colour coded areas to help familiarise patients with areas of the ward

· New flooring to reduce slips, trips and falls

· Sensory and activity rooms to stimulate and/or calm patients

· Memory walls to prompt patients’ long term memories

· Mobile nurse stations to allow staff to monitor patients more effectively.

Sean Lyon, chair of SFHFT, said: “Some of the fantastic innovations in Woodland Ward are tailored to the specific needs of dementia patients, however, many of the new ideas introduced here could be replicated in other wards. It’s a blueprint for better, more welcoming care environments for patients, staff and visitors.”

Donors to the Dementia care fund, hospital governors and the winner of the ‘Name the Ward’ competition will have a guided tour of Woodland Ward on Friday, 15 January. Patients will be introduced to the ward on Monday, 18 January.

Dr Steve Rutter, Clinical Lead for Geriatrics at SFHFT, said: “This ward is much needed. People are living longer and this means a greater number of people are developing dementia.

“The whole NHS needs more capacity and new ways to treat and support these patients. This project is all about creating an environment here at King’s Mill which helps us deliver safer, more engaging and more reassuring care for patients living with dementia and their families.”

The development of the ward is being paid for by Sherwood Forest Hospitals’ Charitable Fund. While this phase of refurbishment of Woodland Ward is complete, the work of fundraising to cover the costs of the new facility continues.

Mr Lyons said: “More than £200,000 is still required to fully fund the project. We’re determined to provide the best quality care for patients living with dementia, but we also have to balance the books

“The Trust is enormously grateful for the work of staff, volunteers and members of the public who have helped raise funds.

“We sincerely thank all those who have donated to our Dementia Care appeal so far, and it’s vital that we continue to get support from local people to ensure we can deliver these improvements for patients.”

Donations to the Dementia Fund can be made via the voluntary services department at King’s Mill Hospital or Newark Hospital. Cheques, made payable to Sherwood Forest Hospitals Charitable Funds, can be posted to The Voluntary Services department, King’s Mill Hospital, Mansfield Road, Sutton, NG17 4JL.

Alternatively, you can donate via SFHFT’s Just Giving page at www.justgiving.com/sherwoodforest and selecting Dementia Care appeal.