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Revolutionary £1m redesigned dementia unit opens in Sheffield

17 November 2008

A ground-breaking £1.1m redesign of a Sheffield dementia unit has received high acclaim from a leading dementia expert following the official opening.

The stunning new unit at Grenoside Grange, which is managed by Sheffield Health and Social Care Foundation Trust (SHSC), is one of the first of its kind in the UK and one of only a handful in Europe.

One of the country's most senior voices on dementia, Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the National Alzheimer's Society, officially opened the redesigned unit. More than 50 guests attended the opening including carers and medical professionals. 

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: "The Alzheimer's Society is pleased to support the new unit that has been designed around the needs of people with dementia. With an ageing population, more units like this will be needed in the future and Sheffield Health and Social Care NHS Foundation Trust is making a good start with the development of Grenoside Grange. 

"I would like to congratulate the Trust for having the foresight and imagination to pioneer the redesign of Grenoside Grange. It is such a fantastic unit which will provide a good quality, person centered experience for service users and carers."

The dementia specific redesign has seen the east wing of Grenoside Grange completely renovated and now includes a number of research led modifications and rehabilitative features to cater for older adults with dementia and complex behavioural problems.

The new features include 24 en-suite bedrooms, colour coded toilets, sensitive lighting, communal living areas outdoor spaces, considered architectural structure to help movement and access, home-like kitchen spaces, a calming colour scheme and a modern communications system.

Kevan Taylor, Chief Executive of SHSC, said: "Grenoside Grange is set to be a flagship dementia unit and we are exceptionally proud the redesign.

"Trust staff have done a magnificent job to ensure the unit is fully operational and I would like thank them for their hard work and commitment.

"We have already had feedback from carers and they are very pleased with the unit. We hope that service users will have an uplifting experience during their time at Grenoside Grange."

Alzheimer's Society Sheffield Branch Manager Judith Gregory added: "We welcome the opening of the new ward as it represents another stage in the Trust's work to modernise services for people with dementia in Sheffield.  We recognise the planning that has gone into the development of the ward and look forward to seeing how the new facilities will improve the quality of care for people locally."

Categories: SHSC