New dementia therapy introduced at Rochdale Infirmary, as seen on BBC Dragons’ Den

RemPods have been introduced as part of plans to introduce holistic therapy for dementia patients at Rochdale Infirmary.

Starting life as a pitch to investors on BBC Dragons’ Den, RemPods are full size, pop-up themed canvas backgrounds detailing scenes from the past, complete with accompanying furniture and sound effects to create a unique reminiscence environment.

Seven RemPods were purchased by the Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust as part of a commission by NHS Heywood, Middleton and Rochdale Clinical Commissioning Group (HMR CCG). The pods are used alongside other care and reminiscence methods already in place at the Oasis Unit at Rochdale Infirmary to support patients living with dementia.

Clinical matron at the Oasis Unit, Lou Harkness-Hudson, said: “Staff on the Oasis unit have been using the new RemPods to great effect and they really do encourage interaction between patients and their carers and help patients to feel far more settled and engaged in their care and activities.

“We have been using the pods to host fun activities including trips to the beach and pub quizzes in the evenings, all of which provide a great opportunity for patients, their families and friends to re-discover things about their loved ones.

“Patients have also shown improvement in their psychological well-being since we introduced the pods as part of our reminiscence therapy.”

The Oasis Unit, believed to be one of the first of its kind, is a new medical unit developed to offer support to patients with dementia living in the Rochdale area. Featuring five beds, patients in the unit can benefit from a ‘dementia friendly’ environment with specialist support from registered mental health nurses from Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust.

A range of RemPods available to the unit include; a beach pod, a pop-up pub, a pop-up cinema, a vintage store, a pop-up dance hall, a 1960s living room and a vintage shed.

All pods have been created with significant therapeutic benefits in mind and to encourage patients with dementia to remember times gone by and have conversations with their carers, friends, family and fellow patients.

The RemPods were recently showcased at an event which saw attendance by local Rochdale MP, Simon Danczuk and Mayor of Rochdale Surrinder Biant and Mayoress Cllr Cecile Biant.

Staff attending the event dressed up in 1940s themed costumes and a local amateur dramatics group participated in the event by dressing up as characters from the era. During the course of the evening, cinema-themed popcorn was available, as well as old fashioned sweets from the vintages shop.

Local GP and chair of HMR CCG, Dr Chris Duffy, said: “Our aim is to make sure that everyone within our borough who is living with dementia – including carers and families – lives well. As with all reminiscence therapy, the RemPods serve to reconnect patients with memories that calm them and experiences they can share with those nearest to them.”

Read more about RemPods here: www.carehome.co.uk/news/article.cfm/id/1560871/entrepreneur-wins-100000-pound-deal-on-tv-show-dragons-den-with-reminiscence-pods-for-care-homes