New dementia-friendly rooms at John Radcliffe Hospital

The dementia-friendly areas have been created at the John Radcliffe Hospital’s Complex Medical Unit, funded by Oxford Hospitals Charity, which contributed £24,000 towards the improvements.

Designed to support patient wellbeing, the rooms offer a calmer environment and space for therapeutic activities.

Ellie Saxon, cognitive and frailty lead nurse at Oxford University Hospitals (OUH), said: “The new Quiet Room makes a huge difference for patients experiencing delirium and other cognitive symptoms of dementia, providing a calm and peaceful space.

“It also gives us an appropriate space for emotional or difficult conversations with patients and their families.”

The refurbished spaces were opened during Dementia Action Week, with patients, families, staff, and charity representatives gathering for a celebratory coffee morning.

The event included information about the therapies and activities now available to patients.

Ms Saxon also praised the recently created Patient Activity Room, which offers a dedicated environment for both cognitive and physical activity sessions.

She said: “The ward’s elderly patient group often have long hospital stays, and this makes keeping them active, both mentally and physically, really important to maintain wellbeing.

“This room gives space for socialising, like having a patient cafe – and activities with other patients help keep them more engaged, and mentally and physically active.

“It’s a huge improvement so we are extremely grateful for the support from Oxford Hospitals Charity and their generous donors for fully funding this project.”

Both rooms are equipped with large touchscreen devices loaded with music, films, games, audiobooks, and historical content to support reminiscence therapy and rehabilitation.

Krystal Harry, programme assistant at Oxford Hospitals Charity, said: “Today’s event has been a fantastic opportunity to celebrate the transformation of these two important spaces and recognise the work that has gone into bringing the project to life.

“We know that for some, hospitals aren’t simply a place to get better, but can be home for a long time – and we are delighted to support projects like this that make them feel more homely and comfortable.”

Felicity Taylor-Drewe, chief operating officer at OUH, said: “It’s great to see the collaboration between our friends at Oxford Hospital Charity and the fantastic team on the Complex Medical Unit working together to make time in hospital therapeutic for our older patients and those living with dementia.

“It’s such important work and the enthusiasm for these improvements was really clear in both the staff team and with patients I met on the day.”