Lord Provost opens Ferryfield Hub

He was joined by Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership staff and people who stay at Ferryfield House Hospital in Pilton. The ceremony was to celebrate the official opening of the new dementia friendly therapeutic and social space called the Ferryfield Hub.

Lord Provost Frank Ross said: “As a city, our understanding and support for people living with dementia is evolving rapidly and I’m proud to say Edinburgh has a high number of communities and organisations which are recognised as dementia friendly. In care settings too, Edinburgh’s ethos is that we help people to lead the happiest, healthiest and safest lives they can.

“Initiatives like the new Ferryfield Hub, where people can be themselves and escape the confines of their illness while in hospital, are so important. It is a pleasure to open the new space in Pilton and see first-hand how it will benefit people who stay at Ferryfield, their families and their friends.”

The hospital, which opened in 1996, has two wards which provide hospital-based complex clinical care for people who are living with advanced dementia as well as those who require palliative and end of life care. With funding from Ferryfield League of Friends Charity, the staff have been able to transform what was previously office space into a Dementia style cafe called the Ferryfield Hub.

Judith Proctor, Chief Officer of the Partnership, said: “As a Partnership we are always considering how we can improve the experience and quality of the support we provide to those who require specialist dementia care. Places like Ferryfield House help people to feel as comfortable as they can be and the new hub is a welcoming and homely space.

“Every little detail has been carefully thought out, from the colour scheme which is dementia-friendly to the views which look out on to Ferryfield’s front gardens.  My congratulations to everyone who has worked so hard to make this happen.”

Rob Crispin, Senior Charge Nurse, Willow Ward at Ferryfield House, said: “We were delighted to have the Lord Provost officially open our new Hub for us today. We have put in a lot of hard work to get the new social area ready and we’re very excited to see how it will benefit both our patients and their loved ones.”

The Hub will become a well-used therapeutic area for people at Ferryfield and a space to relax, socialise and spend with family. Those with dementia will be able to take part in organised meaningful activities on a 1-1 basis or in small groups to encourage them to be themselves.

Ferryfield House is operated by the Edinburgh Health and Social Care Partnership and Walker Healthcare, which manages the building as a PFI (private finance initiative).