Board of Governors 'Hat Activities' - Tim Leeming
At Hospice, our Board of Governors actively engage with our teams to better understand their roles and responsibilities. Over the past couple of years, one Board member has been randomly selected to participate in various activities and initiatives, collaborating with staff and gaining insight into the day-to-day operations that support our patients and their families.
Tim Leeming was chosen next to attend Module 1 of the Hospice Essential Care training, focusing on person-centred dementia care. The session covered early signs, risk factors, and different types of dementia, as well as the impact on the brain and behaviour.
Tim tells us about his experience:
“I chose dementia as a topic because my late father had dementia, and I found the session both educational and emotional. Jeanette, one of the three Admiral nurses, spends about 40% of her time educating staff, carers, and families. I learned that dementia is a physical brain disease with over 200 different types, each creating unique challenges for patients. Shockingly, 40% of dementia causes can be avoided through lifestyle choices like smoking, drinking, and diet.
While there is no cure, palliative care, including support from Admiral nurses, is crucial, which really hit home with me during my time in the session. With only 3 nurses serving 140 patients, and Jeanette splitting her time between education and care, the impact of their work is truly incredible. Yet, so much of it goes unseen.
As dementia becomes one of the leading causes of death in the UK, it’s concerning how little is known about it. The Forget-Me-Not Charity plays a vital role in funding the Admiral nurses, and those who’ve needed their support consistently speak of their excellence. As our population ages, the demand for more support will only grow.”
Thank you to Tim for his involvement in Hospice!
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