St Oswald’s Hospice has teamed up with charity Dementia UK to create a new Admiral nurse post to enable local services to better support people with the condition and their families during the progression of dementia as well as during the end of life and post bereavement stage.
“When someone living with dementia nears the end of their life, it can be challenging for families on so many levels”
Maya Gorton
Maya Gorton, who will be the first to take up the new role, has previously worked at the hospice as a nurse on the adult inpatient unit but has always had an interest in dementia care, particularly end of life care.
Admiral nurses work alongside people with dementia, their families and carers to provide one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions they need to face the condition with more confidence and less fear, noted the charity.
According to Dementia UK, which oversees the Admiral nurse programme, Ms Gorton will play a significant part in creating an end of life care pathway for the increasing number of people living with dementia in Newcastle.
As part of her new role, Ms Gorton will connect local palliative care teams, community nurse services, other admiral nurse services, as well as support and therapy teams, to help alleviate distress and increase support for families.
Ms Gorton, who previously worked as a dementia link practitioner and a dementia champion in her role prior to working at the hospice, said she felt proud to be able to help families access the support they need.
“Maya will play an important role in ensuring that the increasing number of families living with dementia in Newcastle are supported”
Julie Allen
“When someone living with dementia nears the end of their life, it can be challenging for families on so many levels; physically, socially as well as emotionally.
“Everyone should be entitled to good end of life care which respects their needs, rights and wishes – it’s a privilege to be able to offer this to families affected by dementia in my new role,” she said.
St Oswald’s Hospice provides specialist care for North East adults, young people, babies and children with life-limiting conditions.
Angela Egdell, director of care at the hospice, said: “We are delighted to have Maya with us in her new role as an admiral nurse and we look forward to seeing the positive impact she will bring to St Oswald’s and to the local region, supporting people living with dementia and their family, friends and carers.”
As part of the hospices’ partnership with Dementia UK, the charity will continually train, develop and support Ms Gorton in her new role, as well as giving her access to the entire UK network of highly specialist admiral nurses, sharing skills and expertise.
“We look forward to seeing the positive impact she will bring to St Oswald’s and to the local region”
Angela Egdell
Julie Allen, Dementia UK’s strategic business development manager, said: “Maya is joining a growing number of dementia specialist admiral nurses working in a hospice setting and specialising in outstanding end of life care.”
“Maya will play an important role in ensuring that the increasing number of families living with dementia in Newcastle are supported when times are challenging for people affected by dementia in the later stages of life,” she added.
Both the hospice and Dementia UK said they were grateful for donations from Charitable Trust, Sir James Knott Charitable Trust and Catherine Cookson Charitable Trust, which allowed the post to be set up.
The service can be accessed by people registered with a Newcastle GP who have a diagnosis of dementia and are deemed to be in the advanced stages, including their families and carers.
dementia uk
Source: St Oswald’s Hospice
Representatives from Dementia UK, Angela Egdell. Maya Gorton and James Ellam from St Oswald’s Hospice
https://www.nursingtimes.net/news/older-people/hospice-appoints-specialist-dementia-nurse-to-transform-care/7028119.article