Porters, domestics and catering staff working across Watford, St Albans and Hemel Hempstead hospitals are all to receive training to become "Dementia Friends" to help them gain a greater understanding of how the disease affects patients, their families and friends.

The staff are employed by contractor Medirest who embarked on the project, as part of their sponsorship of the Alzheimer’s Society this year.

Medirest senior management across the three hospital sites have already received training, as well as 68 other staff at a pilot training session held recently. By the end of the year all 420 of their staff will have received training.

Medirest Director of Operations Perry Batchelor said: "We wanted to support our staff so that they have more of an understanding of not only some of the patients they meet, but also of their family and friends, and to learn more about the lives of people affected by the disease."

The idea for the training came about after Dementia Lead Nurse Wendy Brophy approached Medirest asking if it would be willing to supply specific foods for elderly patients with dementia, foods such as shepherd's pie which they might remember from their younger days and which they would find comforting.

Perry continued: "We then thought we would really like to take it further and work with Wendy and volunteer support workers from Dementia Friends to train up all our staff to equip them both in their professional and personal lives.

"Some who attended the first session have already told me how they have put their training into action, which is fantastic."

Wendy said: "I would like to thank Medirest for being so proactive and supportive of our Dementia Friends initiatives - they have really taken this on board themselves and it is inspiring.

"We are encouraging all staff working in our hospitals to take up the offer of training."

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