A new centre to support the recovery and wellbeing of older patients with dementia has opened at Broadgreen Hospital, following a generous donation of £50,000 from a Liverpool family.
The creation of the Frances Centre has been made possible thanks to Professor Ananda Dulal Sarkar, who made a donation to University Hospitals Liverpool Charity in memory of his late wife, Frances.
It is the second Frances Centre to open at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, following Professor Sarkar’s first donation to open a space at Aintree University Hospital in 2023.
The room at Broadgreen will aim to promote recovery and wellbeing for patients with delirium and dementia, but also support those in reablement at the hospital to develop and regain their independence. Ward spaces can sometimes be stressful for older people with cognitive impairment, hindering their recovery, and the centre will offer a quiet and dedicated space to allow for enhanced support and therapies for inpatients.
Named after his late wife, Frances, the centre is a legacy of the outstanding work she did throughout her lifetime and the endless hours she devoted to helping others.
From a young age, Frances Sarkar spent most of her life supporting those in her community who often didn’t have family or friends. She would visit care homes, organising trips out and making clothes for the residents.
Her husband, Professor Sarkar, said: “I am thrilled to support the opening of the second centre, in memory of Frances, and to leave a legacy for the caring work she had committed her life to. Dementia is a cruel disease and is completely devastating for the person. Having personally experienced the impact it has on the individual and their family; after losing Frances to vascular dementia in 2021, it is very important to me to be able to support others in any positive way I can.”
The unit at Broadgreen has been designed using dementia friendly wall wraps and safe, matt flooring to minimise confusion and risk of trips and falls. The space which will house a range of appropriate therapies and activities, including reminiscence materials and games includes artwork kindly donated by a local artist featuring iconic local landmarks.
Colin Hont, Deputy Chief Nurse at NHS University Hospitals of Liverpool Group, said:
“We are very grateful to the Sarkar family for their generosity in enabling us to open a second Frances Centre, and as an organisation are proud to continue Frances’ legacy.
This safe and dedicated dementia-friendly space at Broadgreen will have a significant impact on supporting us to provide our patients with additional cognitive or rehabilitative needs the best possible care whilst they are with us in hospital.”