ELFT’s Tracy Connellan, Clinican Nurse Manager at Newham’s East Ham Care Centre, has been appointed as an Admiral Nurse, a specialist in dementia care.
Tracy’s new role will see her working across the Centre’s inpatient wards.
Newham Community Services have worked with Dementia UK to create the new role.
Admiral Nurses work collaboratively with families and with other dementia care specialists to provide the best care possible.
For families to know that there is a professional with expertise in dementia caring for their loved ones can be life-changing.
Admiral Nurses often work in different care settings: be that in the community, care homes, on the Admiral Nurse Dementia Helpline, in hospitals, in hospices or in clinics.
Tracy has been working for ELFT since 2001 in various roles across Newham and Luton within psychiatry and rehabilitation. She has been based at the East Ham Care Centre for the last five years as Clinical Nurse Manager.
Her new role means the main focus is now on working with families and carers to support best practice.
Dementia UK provide outstanding supervision and professional development.
On her new role, Tracy said:
“I look forward to coming to work and feel honoured to work with such a fabulous patient group and carers despite the challenges they have often faced.
“Working in dementia can be tough but it is 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.”
“There are currently 314 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.
Please give all you can to the Dementia UK Christmas Appeal and help families facing dementia.”
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.”