We were recently delighted to support a project to provide training on the physical effects of frailty and dementia on the body, through the Staff Lottery fund. Training has been developed alongside the procurement of specialist simulation equipment, and was recently delivered to Nurses and Healthcare Support Workers (HCSWs) at ward East 8, enabling them to gain insights into patients’ experiences and the challenges they face due to these conditions.
As the population gets older, we continue to see more frail patients using Cardiff and Vale University Health Board services. Medicine is the largest clinical board in the hospital and there is a multitude of frailty services within the directorate such as Bone Clinic, Day Hospital, ECAS, Frailty Intervention Team, Dementia Clinic, Parkinson’s Clinic and Care of the Elderly Wards.
The Staff Lottery funding supported the acquisition of GERT age simulation suits, that offer an opportunity to experience the most common impairments of older persons. The equipment includes overshoes, which simulate an unsteady gait that can lead to falls, and devices that offer an insight into various restrictive mobility conditions such as neck pain, kyphosis, back pain and knee pain.
The equipment acquired by the Medicine Directorate also kept in mind the patients who have suffered a stroke or are living with conditions such as Parkinson’s disease. The hemiparesis simulator will demonstrate a weakness following a stroke, and the tremor simulator with gloves and a control unit encourages understanding of conditions such as Parkinson’s on daily life. Tinnitus and sight simulators have also been acquired to teach staff members the sensory and perceptual changes often experienced with frailty.
The GERT age simulators offer a unique perspective that traditional classroom-based training cannot fully replicate. By enabling Nurses and HCSWs to directly experience the challenges of frailty and the common issues faced by older individuals, the training will enhance their ability to empathise with patients. This newfound empathy will guide them in providing better support and care to our vulnerable older patients.
We have been delighted to support the procurement of the specialist simulation equipment that will provide healthcare staff with an invaluable insight into the daily life and challenges of an older person experiencing frailty and dementia of the body. Making this available for our colleagues will ultimately improve the support older CAVUHB patients receive.
Why YOU should join the Staff Lottery:
By joining the Staff Lottery, you are actively supporting a wide range of projects that enhance countless services across the UHB. Through this funding, you are helping us make things better for both our staff and patients, helping us all work together to create a more Prosperous, Healthier and Resilient Wales.
If you would like to apply for funding from the Staff Lottery Bids Panel, please contact fundraising.cav@wales.nhs.uk for details. Cardiff & Vale Health Charity encourages you to apply for funding via the Staff Lottery fund, which can enhance your department or service.
If you would like to join the Staff Lottery for a chance to win £1,000 each week, application forms can be completed here.