A HOSPITAL ward has spent £35,000 to introduce new measures which will make the environment more suited for people with dementia.

New lighting, furniture, signs and coloured cutlery are being introduced to Ward 23 at the Queen Elizabeth Hospital in Gateshead.

To help prevent falls, the team has also changed the colour and texture of the flooring, doors, toilet seats and hand rails.

They have also introduced chairs, coffee tables and a sofa to encourage patients to take frequent rests while walking around the ward.

Ward Sister Chris Fawcett says the investment has helped to create a calm, safe and stimulating environment for their patients.

She said: “With capital investment from the hospital and also fundraising efforts from staff we have transformed a traditional ward into a Dementia friendly environment to be proud of”.

Among the features are a large-faced clock which reminds patients of time, place and day, mood lighting in each room so that agitated patients can be calmed and separate, securely locked male and female areas to maintain privacy and dignity.

Hilary Lloyd , the hospital’s director of nursing, midwifery and quality, said: “Our patients tell us that what they need from us is kindness, compassion, a smile, understanding and most importantly to be their voice when they are unable to speak.

“With an ageing population we're seeing more people being diagnosed with dementia and in Gateshead we’re tackling this in a number of ways including staff training and changes to the way wards can be designed”.