Dementia - Welcome to the Oasis Unit

The Oasis Unit is a 10 bedded medical unit that cares for patients who have an acute medical condition who are also living with dementia.

The unit is open 24 hours a day, 7 days a week and provides inpatient care.

Patients must be referred by a medical practitioner.

Patients must have a Heywood, Middleton or Rochdale GP.

We have 10 individual rooms that are all colour coordinated to aid orientation. We have a dining area, a lounge area, a reading corner, a quiet room and a hairdresser’s station as well as a nail bar.

We encourage the staff and patients to be involved in daily activities. The activity rota can be found near the dining area.

We use life stories and reminiscence therapy to aid recovery and orientation.

We are a one of a kind unit, the only one in the country.

The unit was designed by the people that work here, research carried out with patients and families and from evidence based information about what makes the best environment for patients living with dementia.

We often have parties and themed events on the unit to aid with recovery and to make the hospital stay that bit more enjoyable.

The staff

We have a Unit Manager, Gema Scully, who is available Monday to Friday, she is available to talk or offer any information or advice as and when needed. In her absence there will always be an allocated nurse in charge of the unit.

We have a fantastic team of registered nurses and registered mental health nurses who are supported by a dedicated team of healthcare support workers.

Our activity co-ordinator Louise Newsham is also on the unit Monday to Friday involving our patients in a wide range of activities, from quizes to pamper treatments.

We have a highly motivated and friendly ward clerk who works with us Monday to Friday.

We have two consultants that cover the ward and work with us Monday to Friday.

We have volunteers that come to the unit to participate in activities.

Our philosophy of care

We understand that hospital admissions can be a stressful and difficult time.

We appreciate that the experience of living with dementia is difficult and we therefore do our best to make your time as comfortable as possible. The average length of stay for patients on the Oasis Unit is 6 days.

To aid in speedy recovery we welcome family and friends to be involved in the assessment, planning and implementation of care for our patients. We are currently involved in a project known as End PJ Paralysis, this is a campaign that aims for social mealtimes, engaging in activities, looking at what matters to patients, team engagement, involving patients and carers in everyday living.

We have facilitates available to allow relatives to stay overnight with their loved ones, we have a double bed available and a separate room for if you wish to spend some time alone.

We encourage open visiting and allow relatives/ carers to come and have their meals with their loved ones.

We are actively involved in reminiscence therapy and using life stories to aid in recovery as well as using Rempods, these are pop- up displays that turn the area into a therapeutic and calming environment that allows the patient to reminisce and take part in related activities.

Our aim is to promote a positive image of dementia at all times.

Things that make a difference

Please do not bring valuable items or large amounts of money into hospital.

Please feel free to bring in your favourite photographs or memories that may reduce anxiety for your relative whilst they are in an unfamiliar environment, things such as their favourite blanket, stuffed animals or favourite activities can make their experience much more enjoyable. We have special memory boxes fixed to the wall that we encourage you to fill to make your relatives stay more personal.

On admission to the unit you will be asked to complete a ‘This is me’ form, this gives detailed information about your relative and what their likes and dislikes are, this booklet should stay with your relatives during all admissions.

Please ensure that your relative/loved one has the following items for their stay on the unit:

• Towel
• Soap/toiletries including toothbrush, toothpaste and dentures
• Hairbrush/comb
• Sleepwear
• Daywear
• Appropriate footwear (well-fitting shoes/slippers)
• Underwear
• Medications
• Mobility aids

We have a wardrobe on the unit to allow patients to be dressed in clothing other than pyjamas if they haven’t come into hospital with their belongings. To allow us to continue with this any donations are welcome.

If you would like to donate reading materials to our reading corner please contact the unit.

We often hold fundraising events or raffles to raise money for our up and coming sensory garden.

Please ask any of the staff on the unit for more details.
 
We hope that you will be happy with the care that we deliver but if at any time you have any concerns regarding any aspect of your stay on the Oasis Unit please inform the nurse in charge.

You can also speak with the Unit Manager or the Lead Nurse.

Alternatively, you can contact the Hospital HELP Line which will result in someone from the senior team coming to see you within one hour.

You can contact the HELP Line on 0161 624 0420.

We aim to be able to resolve any issues raised on the shop floor, however if you feel this has not been possible, then you can contact the Patient Advice and Liaison Service (PALS) on 0161 778 5665, leaflets are also available outside the door of the unit.

Contact Details

The Oasis Unit is situated on level B at Rochdale Infirmary.
Oasis Unit Level B
Rochdale Infirmary Whitehall Street
Rochdale
OL12 0NB

Telephone Number:
External – 01706 517076 or 01706 517075
Internal – 57076 or 57075

Ward Manager
Sister Gema Scully

Further information available for patients living with dementia:

Alzheimer’s Society – alzheimers.org.uk National Dementia Helpline – 03000 222 1122
Memory Wellbeing Cafes in Rochdale – 0161 342 0797