A £513,000 scheme to improve the care of dementia patients at a Bradford hospital is nearing completion.

If building work keeps on target, the work at St Luke’s Hospital could be finished next month to make patients’ experiences even better.

Yesterday Bradford Teaching Hospitals Foundation Trust’s dementia project manager Dani Woods and its Estates Design projects manager Shane Embleton went to London to present details of what is happening at St Luke’s as a case study to delegates at a prestigious conference about improving the environment of care for people with dementia.

Patients and the public have been consulted about what they wanted to see in the ‘dementia-friendly’ transformation scheme called the ‘Yorkshire at its Best’ initiative.

Two artists, a garden designer and a graphic designer were brought in to develop two sensory gardens and a therapeutic courtyard garden within the Horton Wing.

Improvements to signs using art and colour have helped make sure entrances to wards and departments are clearer for dementia patients – more are also being added around the hospital to help dementia patients as they walk around.

The Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) area is also being revamped and equipment is being removed from corridors and entrances to make them clutter-free.

A new dementia-friendly help desk and new public toilets are also being installed, along with places to sit and rest.

Chief nurse, Juliette Greenwood, hopes the striking changes will make real improvements to patients’ wellbeing by creating a more relaxed environment allowing people to be more independent and making their lives more dignified.

She said: “This transformation of St Luke’s is fantastic news for our patients and their carers and families. It is also another feather in the cap for the city as it strives to become a dementia-friendly city”

And she added: “I hope that patients, the public and staff will join us in celebrating the creation of this very special and innovative healing environment, not just for those people who suffer from dementia, but for everyone who needs our care.”