Tommy’s speech, providing a carer’s perspective, on the theme of “No – one ever asked 
” highlighted the transformational impact that listening, kindness and understanding made to his journey as a carer, and the importance of looking beyond a person’s diagnosis to engage with them as an individual.
” highlighted the transformational impact that listening, kindness and understanding made to his journey as a carer, and the importance of looking beyond a person’s diagnosis to engage with them as an individual.
If you would like to access further information about the Collaborative and to view presentations from the latest learning session, please click here.
The following film has been developed on behalf of the CNO Office, England in collaboration with DCV campaign featuring Tommy Whitelaw.
“The framework supports staff whatever their role, wherever they work to make changes to improve outcomes for patients, improve experiences for both patients and staff and to make better use of available resources. The 6Cs are the value base for the framework and 10 commitments within the framework help align our efforts to areas where unwarranted variation is recognised.”For more information about the Leading Change, Adding Value framework for nursing, midwifery and care staff:
In 2011 Tommy produced a short film in conjunction with Alzheimer Scotland. The video, which was later shown at the Scottish Parliament, includes families and carers reading from the letters they sent him during his dementia awareness tour of Scotland’s towns and cities. To view the FILM
Putting the Care into Dementia Care
This
training film is a collaboration between Health watch
Essex,
staff at Broomfield Hospital and Dementia Carer Voices
Essex,
staff at Broomfield Hospital and Dementia Carer Voices
Interview for NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde
Patients’ Stories Library
The NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde's Patients' Stories Library for Hospital Staff aims to use patients’ and carers’ experiences to look at how acute services can be improved.
Tommy shared his story with frontline staff working across NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde, including the Ward staff that cared for his mother at the Southern General hospital. His film interview was also shown across a number of NHSGGC hospital sites during Carers Week 2013 to help raise awareness amongst staff about the importance of supporting carers in contributing to delivering person centred care.
Dementia Carer Voices where proud to tour with Healthwatch across Essex back in October 2015. You can view the blog post and pledges from the few days here.
Thanks to every one of you who attended each event and the @HWEssex team for arranging the few days. Below is a new film about the tour with some of the Nurses who attended sharing their pledges made to the Make a Difference Campaign each day.
It’s Ok to Ask for Help!
The It’s Ok to Ask DVD produced by NHS Greater Glasgow & Clyde, Glasgow City Council, The Alliance and Alzheimer Scotland uses carers’ experiences to highlight the benefits of using carer support services in Glasgow, and encourages people to ask for help. Tommy Whitelaw, Alliance Scotland, shares experiences of looking after a partner, parent, relative, friend or neighbour with dementia. Other carers tell us about help they get from support services in Glasgow. FILM http://youtu.be/u2BAxSCcic0
'On the Couch' with Tommy Whitelaw filmed interview NHS Scotland Conference June 2015
Speaking Care Inspectorate Seminar
Published on 7 Nov 2013
Tommy recently spoke to our inspection team to talk about his experiences of caring for his mum Joan Whitelaw, who died last year after living with dementia for several years. He spoke about the difficulties he had getting the right services for his mum at the right time and how this led him to take his dementia awareness campaign "On Tour"
National Dementia Awareness Week 2014 (England) – NHS Employers Nursing Times - my Filmed interview
To mark National Dementia Awareness Week which runs from 18 to 24 May, NHS Employers the Nursing Times are working with the Alzheimer’s Society to promote resources available to NHS organisations and the NHS workforce.
As part of this activity, they have specially commissioned a short video of an interview with Dementia Carer Voices’ very own Tommy Whitelaw.
You can get more information here on NHS Employers This video was made to mark this year’s Dementia Awareness week
You can get more information here on NHS Employers This video was made to mark this year’s Dementia Awareness week
You can click on the image Below to preview the trailer for a longer film which will be launched on 12th December in NHS Ayrshire and Arran University Hospital Ayr lecture theatre.
Full version of Make a difference with the staff nhsaaa
Produced by NHS Elect, in association with the Acute Frailty Network
This film (This link will take you away from our website) features the ALLIANCE’s Dementia Carer Voices UK Lead, Tommy Whitelaw. Tommy shares stories about his caring journey for his mum, Joan. This included the ups and downs they faced on a day to day basis and how some situations could have been made easier for everyone if they had included Tommy, his mums primary carer, in the conversation about his mums health and care support.
It strikes my heart to know that you were able to care for your mum during her time. I wish we have more people like you. I was moved by everything you said ! I have come to realise the importance of 'Love'.
ReplyDeleteInspirational is an understatement
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for talking at the University of Bedfordshire conference! your story was incredible and so heart breaking yet so inspirational! you've made it hit home just how much of a difference people can make to other lives. you truly are an amazing man!
ReplyDeleteI was very touched by your story today tommy at the University of central Lancashire, thank you for sharing it with us all, it has opened my eyes a lot, and give me a different perspective of dementia, I will always remember your story and take your inspiration with me throughout my nursing career. your mum will be so proud of you and what you do, you are a wonderful person x
ReplyDeleteReally appreciate you sharing your experience , and hearing about your mum : the photo of you both is excellent. Am just doing a free online course on Dementia with Tasmania University. It contains information that we, the general public , need to know. Don't know if there's an English equivalent? Thanks
ReplyDeleteI feel privileged to have heard your talk today in Elgin about your experience of being a carer for your mum. How you loved her, and she you. Caring is loving, simple as that. You did what was right for you and your muml and I'm glad there were people in your lives that made a difference. I hope I do that in my job each day and I thank you for telling your story today. Best wishes x
ReplyDeleteYou are Good son i realy apreciate
ReplyDeletemy heart to know that you were able to care for your mum during her time. I wish we have more people like you. I was moved by everything you said ! I have come to realise the importance of 'Love'.
ReplyDelete24 hour care at home
Saw you speak today at Nursing in Practice event in Birmingham. Over my years as a nurse I've seen many films, read many accounts and spoken to many people effected by dementia but never have I heard the journey portrayed with such love, reverence, passion and strength as yours was today. I was in tears, thank you for being such a wonderful career and son to your mom, Joan, and thank you for your thanks to the nurses, I think everyone there will strive everyday to be the nurse that you described. I bet Joan would be so proud of you, and rightly so.
ReplyDeleteI attended your talk at NDDH last friday. what an inspiration you are to your mother, she was very lucky to have you looking after her, even if you at times felt lost. It makes me very sad that you did not have the support you needed but with the effort you are now putting in to help resolve this, hopefully you will help others have the support they require.
ReplyDeleteI feel very proud to be embarking on my new career and can assure you I will try my up-most to fulfil my declaration I made after your talk.
I was honoured to spend time with you recently in the Western Isles, having looked after both my father and now my mother who both had and have dementia. I feel so strongly about your message of seeing the person behind the condition. I know how hard it is to look after someone and to carry out those very personal care tasks that you know your parents would not wish their child to see them in such a vulnerable position. However I also know and hold onto those precious memories when there is a slight spark of recognition, or you know they feel safe with you and this helps to light up and see me through those dark times
ReplyDeleteIt was a privilege to hear you speak at UWS, Ayr on Friday. It takes a lot to be so honest and your love for your mum came through in every word you spoke. During my training and beyond I'll be aiming to do the small things that make the difference as you did with your mum. I think your story is inspirational not just in addressing how we deal with dementia but showing you, as a man, excelling in the role of caring and I hope your story will encourage other men who feel they can make a difference into nursing as a profession. I've lost two grandparents to dementia, your words struck a chord with me personally and professionally and I'll not forget them. Thanks for your bravery and determination in getting your message out there, it's appreciated and it will make a difference.
ReplyDeletehi tommy,
ReplyDeleteHi, my name is alan and I am a health and nursing lecturer at the university of west of scotland and i attended your talk with Prof. Fiona mcqueen on friday. It was fantastic and i loved every minute of it. do you have a copy of your presentation which you can send to email. my email address is alan.curley@uws.ac.uk
thanks alan
Hello there,
ReplyDeleteI was fortunate to hear you speak in Rutland this week. You made me cry and laugh over your beautiful love story of your mum.
She sounds as though she was a very special lady, and I hope that I will be able to give my mum as much love and care as she nears the end as you have to your mum.
Thank you for reminding me why I do the job I do and for such an inspiring speech.
Tricia
I had the privilege to hear your presentation today at Dundee University and I must say it was the most powerful and inspirational presentation I have experienced so far in my nursing education. You are getting the message across in such a powerful and emotional way that really touched everyone in the lecture theatre. You are a wonderful person doing a wonderful thing in memory of your mum to ensure others don't feel quite so alone and forgotten. Thank you for allowing us to be part of the story.
ReplyDeleteI had the privilege of hearing you tell your mum's story at my university literally hours ago and I am totally blown away by just how passionate you are. I have told 5 people about your speech already. I know dementia is common and as a student nurse I will most certainly come across patients with dementia however I never really gave it much thought. As with any illness or disease it was just in the back of my head as something I will learn about. However after today I absolutely cannot wait to work with patients with dementia and I just hope that I can make a difference to both the patients and family members I come in contact with. You passion oozed out of you and was contagious. Thank you for sharing your story. Thank you for being the voice. As a mum myself I know how proud I am of my children and I know your mum will be beaming with pride as you share your story. Thank you again.
ReplyDelete