2nd August 2012
New ward opens to improve care for older
people
A
new ward that specialises in caring for older people with complex conditions has
been opened at Conquest Hospital.
On
the same day the Olympics were launched in London, hospital staff held their own opening
ceremony to cut the ribbon on the new MacDonald Complex Care
Ward.
The
ward will care for elderly patients with complex medical problems under the
medical teams of Dr James Dennison and Dr Elena Mucci.
The
ward became operational with the transfer of nursing staff from Baird Ward,
which has been changed to the new Medical Assessment Unit.
Dr
Mucci said: “On our new complex care ward we provide comprehensive assessment
for older persons with medical, psychological, cognitive or social problems
impeding function or threatening independent living. Our multidisciplinary team
will work closely with the patients and their families, the patients’ GPs, and
other care providers in order to identify and treat correctable problems and
facilitate independent living. The main principle of a comprehensive assessment
is holistic patient-centred care delivered by Geriatricians, nurses, health care
assistants, occupational therapists, and physiotherapists, all with special
skills in the care of older persons. Common problems addressed on the ward
include complex medical problems, difficulty walking, falls, memory loss,
confusion, agitation, depression, advance care planning and long-term care
options.”
