Hospital opens 'pub' on ward to treat dementia

A hospital in Merseyside has created a pop-up 'pub' on one of its wards to help treat patients with dementia.

However, the 'pub' on ward 21 at Arrowe Park Hospital does not serve alcohol and is instead labelled as a 'reminiscence pod', the Wirral Globe reports.

The area is decorated to feel like a traditional pub in an effort to make people with dementia to dementia feel more comfortable and encourage them to reminisce about memories from earlier in their lives.

According to Sue Newnes of Alzheimer's Society Wirral initiatives such as this can help dementia patients to establish "connections between past, present and future".

Reminiscence pods are being used across the region, with two living rooms decorated in 1950s decor also in Arrowe Park and a ballroom is set to be unveiled at Clatterbridge Hospital in the near future.

Tina Long, director of nursing and midwifery at Wirral University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: "We have introduced several initiatives in order to maintain patient privacy, dignity and respect."

Find out about dementia care and support services at Barchester care homes.