BRADFORD Royal Infirmary’s (BRI) new £28 million hospital wing has opened its first ward to patients.

The dementia-friendly ward has taken months to plan, construct and fit ready for its elderly care patients.

BRI bosses say work on the rest of the wing which, as well as elderly care, will house new children's wards and an intensive care unit, is also on schedule.

Ward 31 is joined to Ward 29, the BRI’s existing elderly care ward in the older part of the hospital, by two side rooms and a brand new carer’s room, which will give people who need to stay with their loved ones a place to make refreshments and get some respite.

One of the ward's design features includes using just one colour and pattern for the flooring to reduce stress levels and the risk of falls. Lighting and how it reflects has also been thought through carefully and more seating has been provided along the corridors so people can take a break and chat.

The corridors also have art on the walls to get people talking, said Lead Nurse for Dementia Care Danielle Woods.

"A new addition to the ward’s design is a touch-down base in each four-bed bay," she added.

"Nurses, physiotherapists and occupational therapists will have a place to sit and write while being able to closely monitor their patients."

In a bid to lessen distress and anxiety for some patients who want to go home and are distracted by the ward's exit, a picture film has been spread across the inside of the doors camouflaging them as a way out.

Bradford Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the hospital, has had the support of pupils from Bradford’s Dixon’s Academy who have been working on a dementia project as part of their Duke of Edinburgh Award.

The pupils designed a collection of placemats featuring brightly-coloured, nostalgic images such as old Bradford trolley buses and steam trains, sweets, foods and toys as well as pictures of the seaside complete with donkey rides and ice-cream cornets.

The mats are now being used in the new four-bedded bays which have a dining table where patients can have company, sitting and eating together rather than being alone.

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