Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust is inviting staff and members of the public to attend its monthly Board meeting on Thursday 29 September.

Attendees will hear first-hand how patient and carer experiences are making an impact at the highest level of the organisation and helping to shape future services which support peoples physical and mental health needs.

Jacqueline Exley’s story will be discussed, focusing on her experiences as a carer when her sister who has downs syndrome and dementia was receiving support from the Trusts’ Community Dental service. There will be a focus on the work the service has done around ‘becoming dementia friendly’.

Swarngit Shahid, Clinical Director for the Community Dental Service at the Care Trust, said: “We have looked at every area of our service to see how we can make it more dementia friendly. Dental clinics across the area have been assessed and work is underway to make them a calmer environment for the treatment of patients with dementia. Some key changes have already been made such as simplifying signage to make it less confusing and placing clocks in waiting rooms to reassure patients with dementia.”

The provider of mental health, community health and specialist learning disability services will also approve at the Board meeting the appointment of a Freedom to Speak Up Guardian who will act as an independent and impartial source of advice to staff in raising concerns with a primary focus on patient safety.

The meeting will be held 29 September, 10.00am – 12.30pm,at Bradford District Care NHS Foundation Trust, New Mill, Victoria Road, Shipley, BD18 3LD.

Board Papers, including the agenda for the Board meeting, are available by visiting the Trust’s website. 

If you would like to find out more about the Board meeting, please call Ritta Harrison on 01274 363430 or email rita.harrison@bdct.nhs.uk