A BASINGSTOKE hospital ward has undergone a major revamp project in an effort to support people with dementia.

Dementia is becoming an ever-increasing problem and there are over 19,000 people suffering with dementia across Hampshire and this number is set to rise to 24,000 by 2025.

And Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, which runs the Parklands hospital in Aldermaston Road, has revamped its Elmwood ward to provide the highest level of dementia care.

In addition, the trust has pledged to train all of its staff in dementia awareness and are aiming to become a dementia friendly organisation by 2016.

In the Elmwood ward, old handrails, toilet seats and chairs have all been replaced with new high contrast colours to enable patients to see them easily and prompting them to use them.

Contrast is vital for people with dementia as often people suffering with the condition struggle to see objects if there is no contrast.

As part of the improvement works, the ward now has a sensory stimulation room with calming lights, music and musical instruments as well as tactile equipment for patients to touch.

On some of the walls, pictures of period movie and music stars have been hung up to create familiarity amongst patients and to stimulate memories.

Outside, improvements have been made to the garden so patients are able to spend more time in the sun.

Gina Winter-Bates, head of specialist patient pathways for Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust, said: “The challenge that dementia presents the NHS is one of the biggest we currently have.

“I firmly believe we have to be proactive in tackling dementia and that starts from the ground up.

“That’s why dementia training is now part of the training available to all our staff, clinical and non-clinical.”

Modern matron Sharon Craddock, said: “We feel that these improvements are another step forward.”