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Who are you: My name is Samantha Gibbs and I am a Dementia Care Coordinator.
Summarise your role: I work with the Consultant Admiral Nurse (Specialist nurse for Dementia) at East Surrey Hospital, we provide support to families and patients at different stages of their dementia. I carry out any initial assessments and refer any complex cases to the Admiral Nurse. I am actively involved in their care by liaising with ward staff, medical teams and other healthcare professionals to ensure we provide person centred dementia care. I support the patient, providing them with information and directing them, their families/carers to the relevant community support services. I promote the Butterfly Scheme when visiting the wards/clinical areas. I also assist the Admiral Nurse in delivering the Trust’s Dementia Strategy.
What do you find challenging about your role: The volume of referrals to the service means that at times we cannot review patients in a timely manner. Also, making time to support our volunteers who support patients living with dementia on our wards.
What do you find rewarding: Working with the patients and their families/carers and learning about their lives, hobbies and interests this helps to ensure they receive the right support they need. I also enjoy co-hosting the Memory Café and other patient related activities as I can engage individually with the patients in a more relaxed environment.
What do you enjoy outside of work: I enjoy spending time with my family I regularly visit them often in Somerset I also enjoy attending festivals especially with music from the 80s and 90s (I was a Wham fan!) and afternoon teas with my friends. |
