Leading dementia specialist nurse charity, Dementia UK, has teamed up with Newham’s East Ham Care Centre to appoint the borough’s first-ever community-based dementia specialist Admiral Nurse.
Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses work in hospitals, GP practices and local community services to provide clinical, emotional and practical support to families that enables them to live more positively with dementia.
Tracy Connellan, East Ham Care Centre’s Clinician Nurse Manager, takes on the new role.
Tracy qualified as a nurse in 2001 and since then has worked across Newham and Bedfordshire within acute psychiatry and rehabilitation for older adults.
Tracy has been working at the East Ham Care Centre for the last five years, caring for older adults on the Sally Sherman ward there.
As a dementia specialist Admiral Nurse, her role expands to take in responsibilities across all of the Centre’s inpatient wards.
Incorporating roles
Tracy will incorporate both her role as ward Matron and her responsibilities as an Admiral Nurse. This includes meeting with carers and families to offer practical, clinical and emotional support, managing professional development for staff as well as developing services for carers.
Plans are underway to facilitate group session support as well.
Today, dementia is the leading cause of death in the UK. By 2025, more than one million people in the UK will be living with this condition.
Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurses are continually supported and developed by the charity to provide life-changing support for families affected by all forms of dementia.
East London NHS Foundation Trust’s Newham Community Services worked closely with Dementia UK, to create the new role.
On becoming an Admiral Nurse, Tracy said:
“It is a real honour to work with such a fabulous patient group and their carers.
“There are currently over 300 Admiral Nurses for the whole of the UK and demand for the service has never been greater, particularly as the ongoing impact of Covid-19 continues to create a wide range of problems for those affected by dementia.
“Working with people who live with dementia is both rewarding and fulfilling.
“You keep learning as a nurse and it is so important to always realise you can really make a difference to someone’s life.
“To care for those who once cared for others is one of the highest honours.”
Dementia UK CEO Comments on Tracy's appointment
On the appointment of Tracy to the post, Hilda Hayo, CEO at Dementia UK said: “The Covid-19 pandemic has placed increasing pressure on NHS services, including a lack of hospital discharge planning, and restrictions have left families unable to visit and stay in touch with one another.”
“As such, it is critical that we have more Admiral Nurses in hospitals coordinating care with community services, delivering expert guidance and communication to families, and training hospital staff. This results in people with dementia having their specific needs met, through person-centred care, and ultimately being discharged safely.”
“We are pleased to welcome Tracy to the Admiral Nurse team and look forward to watching her excel in this role.”
ELFT's Community Health Services' Deputy Director comments on new role
Commenting on Tracy’s appointment as an Admiral Nurse, ELFT’s Community Health Services Deputy Director Helen Green said:
“A massive thanks to Dementia UK and everyone involved in the Admiral Nurses programme.
“They do an invaluable job, and their expertise enriches the care people receive.
“I can’t think of anyone better placed for this important new role than Tracy.
“Her commitment to the people and families she cares for is inspirational.”
If you have any questions or concerns around dementia, please contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or helpline@dementiauk.org.
About Dementia UK
Dementia UK is the dementia specialist nurse charity. The charity’s Admiral Nurses provide life-changing care for families affected by all forms of dementia.
If you need advice or support on living with dementia contact Dementia UK’s Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline on 0800 888 6678 or email helpline@dementiauk.org. The Helpline is staffed by experienced Admiral Nurses, who give vital support by telephone or email.