Great honour to speak at and present NHS Fife Nursing assistants withBest Practice in Dementia awards

Hi

With great thanks to Helen Skinner Alz scot professional development nurse - Lynn Cambell associate director of nursing, NHS FIfe and to all who attended today's talk and certificate presentation 

I feel truly honoured to have been asked hand out certificates by NHS Fife Nursing to Assistants who recently completed  their Stirling Dementia Centre Best Practice in Dementia Course.before my talk 

Thank you to all who took time to attend today's talks for the great welcome and kindess today,was very special indeed 

Thank you to all at NHS FIfe for the passion shown today and for caring for us 

NHS Fife are #makingadifference 

Press Release NHS FIfe 

You Can Make a Difference!

Health campaigner Tommy Whitelaw visited the Victoria Hospital today (19/02) to talk to NHS Fife staff and share his experiences as a carer.

Tommy, who was awarded the Age Scotland Campaigner of the Year in 2013,describes himself as ‘a son, a carer and a campaigner’ following his experience of caring for his mum who had dementia, and who sadly passed away in 2012.

As part of his work with the Health and Social Care Alliance, Tommy talked about the‘You Can Make a Difference’ campaign. The aim of the campaign is to encouragehealth and social care workers to reflect on the personal stories of family membersand carers of those with dementia, before making a pledge based on one key message or action which they can apply to their everyday practice in order to make a difference.

Tommy said: “Carers tell us that a little bit of time, listening and understanding can make an unimaginable difference during what can be a very difficult and lonely journey.

“No matter what your role, you have the potential to transform the lives and experiences of people with dementia and their carers.”

Tommy also presented certificates to our NHS Fife Nursing Assistants who recentlycompleted their Stirling Dementia Centre Best Practice in Dementia Course.

The event was also broadcast via video conference, with around 100 staff fromQueen Margaret and St Andrews Community Hospital also taking part.

NHS Fife Associate Director of Nursing, Lynn Campbell said: “It has been a great privilege to welcome Tommy to the Fife today.

“Having heard Tommy’s experiences from his perspective has resonated with all of us, both on a personal level and in our professional roles, and shows how we can make a real difference to those with Dementia and their carers."

For more information on ‘You Can Make a Difference’, visit the campaign website -http://dementiacarervoices.wordpress.com/you-can-make-a-difference/