AIREDALE NHS Foundation Trust has launched a new Admiral Nurse service in collaboration with Dementia UK.

Laura Hughes has been appointed as the Trust’s first Admiral Nurse to deliver relationship-centred dementia care within the hospital setting.

Admiral Nurses are specialist dementia nurses who are continually supported and developed by Dementia UK, to provide life-changing advice and support to anyone affected by dementia, whenever it’s needed.

Laura said: “I am incredibly proud to be given the unique opportunity to be the Trust’s first Admiral Nurse.

“I have been passionate about improving the lives of those living with dementia throughout my career and I am excited to be introducing this much needed role to our region.

“This role will allow me to help people with dementia to maintain independence at home, provide support to their families and improve staff awareness and knowledge for when they are caring for patients on their wards who are living with dementia.”

Laura has been working in the NHS for over 22 years and was previously a Dementia Link Nurse where she received training to support patients living with dementia. Since 2020, Laura was the Senior Sister on the elderly medicine ward at Airedale which cares for adults with complex medical needs before taking on the new Admiral Nurse role.

Catherine Redman, Divisional Director of Nursing for Medicine said: “We are delighted to be partnering with Dementia UK and be able to introduce a new service to the Trust that will increase support for people living with dementia, their carers and families.”

Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia: a progressive and complex condition that can be devastating for the whole family.

Dr Hilda Hayo, Chief Admiral Nurse and Chief Executive at Dementia UK, said: “One in three people born in the UK this year will develop dementia in their lifetime. It can be exhausting and overwhelming, not only for the person with dementia, but also for the people caring for them, and their wider family and friends.

“Admiral Nurses are there when people need them most, providing health advice, offering compassionate emotional and psychological support, and helping families plan for the future.

“It is critical that we have more Admiral Nurses across Bradford District and Craven to support those who need it the most. We are pleased to welcome Laura to the Admiral Nurse team and look forward to watching her excel in this role.”

The new Admiral Nurse service at Airedale NHS Foundation Trust will be available from Monday, November 20, 2023.

To contact Laura about this service, please email anhsft.admiralnurse@nhs.net.

Laura will also be promoting the service and its launch between 11am and 1pm from November 21 – 24 on the top landing in Zone C at Airedale General Hospital.