Northern Trust welcomes Butterfly Scheme to Causeway Hospital

The Northern Health and Social Care Trust have today introduced “The Butterfly Scheme” into Causeway Hospital to improve the well-being and safety of people with memory impairment or dementia.

All staff who come into contact with dementia patients, including hospital porters, housekeeping and professional care staff, are trained in the scheme so that the interaction skills and support provided to the person with Dementia is more consistent.

The scheme was created by a family carer and is already being used in hospitals across England, Scotland and Wales. It allows people with memory impairment and their carers the choice to “opt in”, so that they are empowered to request specific personalised care during their stay in hospital.

Dr Maura Young Consultant in Old Age Psychiatry for the Northern Trust, said: “We in the Northern Trust are delighted to introduce this scheme to Causeway Hospital. We know from feedback from people with dementia and their carers that there is much that we as staff can do to improve their experience of hospital care. The Butterfly Scheme which has been successfully implemented into many hospitals in England and Wales is known to make a real difference to the quality of hospital care. The Northern Trust is committed to making this scheme a success.”

Training workshops were held last week and it is hoped the scheme will be available to patients admitted to the hospital from February onwards. Anyone interested in the scheme should ask staff on the ward for details.

Antrim Area Hospital introduced the Butterfly Scheme in October last year and has had significant success with the scheme. The Northern Trust are the first Health Trust in Northern Ireland to have the Butterfly Scheme in operation in both its acute hospitals.

4th February 2014