The dementia nurse service in Knowsley has expanded to another borough following its success with supporting dementia carers.
The Admiral Nurse Service will be expanding to Halton, Cheshire this month, after the service was implemented in the borough of Knowsley in Merseyside in 2011. The service is delivered by 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation and works in partnership with Dementia UK.
Norah Flood, clinical director at 5 Boroughs Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: 'We are delighted this service is expanding to Halton. Our Admiral Nurses do an excellent job. They work hand-in-hand with families helping them cope with the fear, uncertainty and difficult everyday reality of dementia.'
Hilda Hayo, chief admiral nurse and CEO of Dementia UK, said: 'The expansion of the Admiral Nurse Service to Halton is testament to the excellent support that our Admiral Nurses give to families living with dementia. We strive to give the help of an Admiral Nurse to everyone who needs one and are pleased to be able to support more families in both Halton and Knowsley.'
The new Admiral Nurse Service in Halton will be taking referrals from the beginning of March coinciding with the Dementia UK "Time for a cuppa' awareness raising week from 1 to 8 March.
Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses based in the community to work with local families to ensure they are better able to understand the changes that can occur with dementia.
Margaret Dempsey who cares for her husband Alf said her Admiral Nurse 'came in my door as a nurse but went out the door a friend'.
“At first I couldn't understand why I needed support when it was my husband who was ill, but I soon realised the demands of looking after someone with dementia on your own can make you ill. Jackie helped me to understand the illness so that I could cope better. She became my comfort blanket at a time when I needed it most. I’m very grateful to her,' Ms Dempsey added.