Dementia matron now on call

A new service has been launched to help provide staff, patients and carers with information regarding any aspect of dementia care. Ruth Burke, team leader of older people’s acute liaison team for Calderdale and Huddersfield NHS Foundation Trust (CHFT) has been appointed as dementia matron. This post and the liaison team is funded by our Trust.

The new responsibility, which is a secondment initially for six months, is an extension of her current role and will give her the opportunity to apply her 24 years of experience in dementia care at the same time as developing partnership working between Huddersfield Royal Infirmary, Calderdale Royal Hospital and the Trust.

Ruth will focus on ways to reduce lengthy admissions to hospital and the number of people with dementia discharged to residential care. The role will also provide education and training in dementia care, including training on ethical issues and the use of the Mental Capacity Act and the deprivation of liberty safeguards.

Speaking about her new role Ruth said, "I am a registered mental health nurse and have specialised in dementia care for most of my career spanning 24 years. I recently completed a Bsc (hons) in dementia care at Bradford University and look to apply this knowledge in my new position. The role gives me access to forums where I am able to influence and encourage change regarding how we care for people with dementia in the acute trust; this includes promoting positive risk management to ensure appropriate and timely discharge. The role also provides a point of contact for relatives who want to discuss their relatives care and future. I hope that this develops into a funded post in the future."