A WARD for adults with dementia unveiled its newly-refurbished courtyard and outdoor space for patients on Monday.

The £80,000 improvement work involved a complete redesign of the existing outdoor space on Rydal Ward at Knowsley Resource and Recovery Centre, which is based at Whiston Hospital.

This now provides a safe, open space for patients to access fresh air and daylight.

The new courtyard has been specially designed to meet the needs of older people with dementia.

Previously, the pavement areas were surrounded by a kerb next to low flower beds which presented a health and safety risk for patients and meant the courtyard was unusable.

This had been highlighted during a recent Care Quality Commission (CQC) inspection as an area which needed addressing to enable patients to safely access the outdoor space.

As part of the refurbishment, all paving has now been removed and replaced with soft, granular flooring to create an even surface and a safety handrail has been installed around the perimeter of the courtyard.

Other features include a yellow brick road to aid orientation around the garden, a sand pit for promoting the recall of reminiscing.

Physical and therapeutic activities will be encouraged with skittles and several large planters, which will be used on the ward so patients can grow their own plants and produce.

The courtyard was unveiled at the opening event by a host of special guests, including the Spectrum Community Choir, mayor of Halton, Cllr Margaret Horabin, mayor of Prescot, Cllr Pat Cook, former Everton footballer Graham Stuart and rugby players from Widnes Vikings.

St Helens Star:

Spectrum Community Choir

Ward manager on the Rydal Ward Lisa Murray said: “Previously, all patients needed to be accompanied on a one-to-one basis when using the garden due to the potential risk of someone having a fall.

"However, the new courtyard now provides a safe environment for therapeutic activities and social events.

"We were also delighted to have the Spectrum Community Choir perform at our opening event, which everyone thoroughly enjoyed.

"We recognise the importance of music and the ability it has to reduce the symptoms of dementia, such as agitation, apathy and anxiety.”

Chief Executive at North West Boroughs Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust Simon Barber said: “We are delighted with this new and improved outdoor space.

"In addition to the greater independence and privacy that patients will benefit from, it’s also a space they can enjoy with their families and carers.”