Bromley Mayor celebrates Jubilee at the new Darwin Unit specialising in dementia – his charity of the year

23-May-2012

The Mayor of Bromley joined patients and staff yesterday at the Princess Royal University Hospital for a special Jubilee tea party at the launch of the new Darwin Unit.  The unit is the Mayor’s chosen charity of the year.  It focuses on providing specialist care for patients with delirium and dementia.

Dr Wendy Hildick-Smith and Matron Sarah Eves explain: "We are aware that many of our patients with an existing diagnosis of dementia find staying at hospital very disorientating.  With this funding, we can develop an area where patients can eat together and do activities away from the bustle of the ward.  We will also be funding specialist training for nurses and working to make the ward area more understandable for confused patients by using clearer signage and contrasting coloured paint to identify different areas.   We are very grateful to the Mayor for choosing the Darwin Unit as his charity of the year.  This support will make a huge difference to patients and we look forward to working closely with the Mayor in the coming year."

The Darwin Unit is a specialist ward area with space for 40 patients at the Princess Royal Unit.

The Mayor of Bromley, Councillor Michael Turner says: "I can’t think of a better charity to choose as my charity of the year.  This is a wonderful unit providing such a reassuring atmosphere for patients and their relatives.  I can see, just from visiting today, that simple things such as colourful mugs and plates that are highly visible to patients make such a difference.  I am looking forward to hosting a range of events over the coming year and raising as much as possible for this unit."

For the Mayor’s Charity Appeal, donations should, if possible, be made through the Mayor’s Office.  All cheques should be made payable to "The Mayor’s Charity Appeal". 

Please contact Jolanta Giudici, Mayor’s Office, Civic Centre, Stockwell Close, Bromley, BR1 3UH Tel:  020 8313 4433.  E-mail Jolanta.giudici@bromley.gov.uk or mayors.office@bromley.gov.uk