AN OCCUPATIONAL therapist has been handed a top award for her work in developing dementia friendly care and colleague education.
Diana Heinrich was given a IRIS Award as part of Spire Parkway Hospital’s Allied Health Professionals Day celebrations to acknowledge the dedication and efforts of all its allied professionals who deliver excellent patient care every day.
The Solihull Occupational Therapist and Dementia Lead at Spire Parkway Hospital was nominated by her colleagues for her work to provide dementia training to colleagues to improve the experience that people living with dementia face when accessing healthcare for non-dementia conditions.
The IRIS (Inclusive Recognition of Inspirational Staff) Awards recognise extraordinary clinical colleagues who go above and beyond in their roles – voted for by both patients and colleagues.
Diana was one of seven recipients of an across Spire Healthcare’s 38 hospitals and 50 clinics to be handed the award.
Diana said: “It is an honour to be presented with an IRIS Award and I am extremely grateful that the dementia care efforts at Parkway have been recognised nationally.
“I always strive to put our patients first, by providing a personalised treatment plan for every patient, in a comfortable and dignified environment.
“It is important for me to continue dementia training, to ensure patients with dementia and their families can feel supported right from the start of their journey with us.”
Thanks to Diana’s work people with dementia and their families are met with a supportive road to recovery, from the initial phone call to schedule an appointment, right through to the day of post-operative discharge.
Rebecca Turley, director of clinical services at Spire Parkway Hospital, said: “This is a wonderful example of exemplary care and putting our patients’ needs first.
“As a result of Diana’s dedication to dementia care, Parkway Hospital continues to meet the needs of our patients living with dementia, as well as supporting the families of those coming into the hospital.”
