Dementia

We are proud to have a Dementia Specialist Team at Sherwood Forest Hospitals. We aim to improve the journey of people impacted by dementia who require our hospital services.

We believe that people living with dementia deserve person–centred care that recognises and respects their individual needs. We wish to provide a standard of care that ensures the person is at the centre of our delivery of care.

We also recognise the impact dementia has on families, and we strive to ensure our patients’ carers and loved ones are involved and supported throughout their hospital journey. 

We identify people living with dementia when they are admitted to our hospitals to ensure that staff are aware of their diagnosis and individualised needs. SFH uses a range of identifiers that aim to highlight the specific needs of those living with dementia and/or delirium. These include: 

• Digitalised dementia tagging system 
• Forget-me-not magnets 
• ‘This is Me’ document.

What conditions does the service treat?

• Patients with a confirmed or suspected dementia diagnosis 
• Patients with mild cognitive impairment
• Patients with delirium +/- dementia diagnosis

What we provide at SFH

We have a team of experts trained to support families living with dementia and delirium.

We value the essential role that carers play in the lives of people living with dementia. We aim to actively involve family members, carers, and close friends in the care process, fostering an environment where they feel heard, respected, and fully engaged in their loved one’s journey.

The Dementia Specialist Team wishes to actively promote the Carer Passport, reinforcing the message that carers have a right, not a duty, to be with the person they care for. 

Read more about the Carer Passport.

This is Me – Supporting personalised dementia care

At Sherwood Forest Hospitals, we use the ‘This is Me’ document to support people living with dementia by helping staff better understand each individual’s personal history, preferences, and needs.

This simple yet powerful tool is completed by the person living with dementia, their carer, family member, or healthcare professional. It shares valuable insights such as preferred routines, likes and dislikes, important memories, communication styles, and emotional needs.

By placing the person at the heart of their care, ‘This is Me’ enables our team to deliver compassionate, tailored support that promotes dignity, comfort, and wellbeing — especially for those who may have difficulty expressing themselves during a hospital stay.

Please ask a member of staff for a ‘This is Me’ document or you can print the 'This is Me' booklet (opens in new window).

Dementia drop-in clinics

The clinics will allow anyone impacted by dementia, including carers and staff who are visiting the hospital, to ask any questions they may have and gain more information.

This will also be in collaboration with the Carer’s Federation to provide further signposting towards support and information for carers, including Carer’s Assessments.

Upcoming dates:

Dementia Strategy 2025-2028

This three-year strategy has been developed to recognise the work already undertaken by the Trust and builds on those foundations to further improve and develop our hospital services. It aims to provide a clear overview and understanding of how staff at SFH can support people with dementia when they are in our care.