A decade of dedicated support for hospital patients living with dementia

Opened in May 2014, the Forget Me Not (FNM) Unit is Warrington Hospital’s dedicated unit that provides specialised care for hospital patients living with dementia.

Over the past decade Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals Charity has supported the ward with a series of campaigns to enhance patient care and wellbeing, starting with the £70,000 garden project in 2017.

Completed in 2019, and made possible through community donations and corporate support, the FMN garden was designed to replicate a comforting home environment, helping alleviate patient distress. Recognised with two RHS Neighbourhood North West in Bloom awards, the charity continues to collaborate with volunteers and businesses to maintain the garden.

Since then, additional fundraising initiatives such as memory walks and community events have enabled the charity to provide multiple amenities for patients on the ward to further enhance their comfort during hospital stays.

This has included a hair dressing station complete with hairdryers and products – offering rejuvenating salon experiences for patients – along with entertainment items purchased through Amazon wish lists.

Katie Nixon, FMN Ward Manager at Warrington and Halton Teaching Hospitals, said: “The support WHH Charity has given the FMN Unit over the years has been incredible. Through their generosity, we have created a comforting ‘home away from home’ for dementia patients. Every donation, big or small, from garden serenity to a simple tea pot, significantly impacts our patients’ wellbeing. Pamper days in the ward salon, provided by the charity, bring smiles and happiness to our patients.

“With their support we’ve increased patient satisfaction, and their families witness first hand the positive impact on their loved ones. Our bespoke care is a result of our team’s dedication, the charity’s support, and the community’s backing.”