'I jumped at the opportunity to work in an acute setting'

Brendan shares some of the personal values he gets from his vital job, as he and his team strive to deliver patient-tailored care that respects their individuality and creates a safe, calming ‘home from home’ for them and their families, as he proudly follows in his father’s footsteps of hospital work and serving the community for many years.

What motivated you to pursue a career at the South West Acute Hospital (SWAH)?

The SWAH has always been at the centre of our family, with my father serving the hospital for more than 39 years, followed by my wife and various members of my family.

I had previously been living in Liverpool, working in children’s mental health for a number of years, and fell in love with making brighter days for people in their darkest moments.

After my wife, Amy, and I were expecting our little boy, we returned home and our goal with all the experience we had gained in working in England was to help the people of our own county.

I became an activity coordinator of a nursing unit and dementia unit, and this is where my interest in dementia blossomed.

When the opportunity came to work in the dementia teams in an acute setting, I jumped at the opportunity.

Could you share a significant challenge you've faced in your role and how you overcame it to provide quality healthcare services?

Working in the dementia teams in an acute hospital setting has its daily challenges, but each day our team work together to find solutions.

The difference in our role and that of our nursing team, is that we solely can focus on the needs of our patients living with dementia, environmentally and any triggers for that person, alongside providing daily mental and physical stimulation and creating a dementia-friendly environment.

How do you believe your role contributes to the well-being and recovery of patients within our community?

We live in the moment with that person, be it that they are back to their childhood days, or holding their hand when they feel fear or anxiety in an environment that is “not their own home”.

Our role was created for a vision of “fighting today for a brighter tomorrow” for our patients.

Every patient has a story we can learn from.

Can you highlight a particular patient interaction or medical achievement that you are particularly proud of, and why?

I have been highlighted numerous times on care opinion, for my interactions with patients and their families. Purpose is key for our patients, and I love bringing their past occupations and interests back to life.

We have people working their previous jobs, whilst in hospital, adapted to suit our ward environment.

Every day we find something to be proud of.

I am proud to say we serve a ward that patients and their families call “a home from home”.

Every day I feel proud, whether it’s supporting someone to do everyday tasks, dancing and singing, or even holding a patient’s hand in their final hours.

It is a privilege to look after your loved ones.

How do you ensure the delivery of compassionate and effective care in your specific healthcare discipline?

To keep a delivery of compassionate care going, we must always learn and support each other.

Our role is there to make sure the highest standards of compassionate care, for one of the most vulnerable groups of people in our hospitals, is being carried out.

Our team have been trained by the University of Sterling, and link in daily with the Alzheimer’s society and Dementia NI for the most up to date information.

What aspect of your work do you find most rewarding, and how does it resonate with your personal values and mission?

I provide the care that I would want rolled out to one of my own family members.

The most rewarding parts of my job is giving people a feeling of hope; a diagnosis can be whatever you make of it, but either way, in a hospital stay, we will always be here for you.

To hear from senior staff that our role can be just as important as the medication is key to a better future.

The ultimate goal is for us all to have a networking of practitioners coming together, alongside families, for the highest levels of care possible.

How do you manage the demands of your job, and what strategies do you employ to ensure exceptional healthcare service delivery?

Our role is extremely demanding; our team is calm, approachable and extremely adaptable to all situations. We take any training available to our role.

Our biggest strength is that we really collaborate as a team. We use the ‘All about me’ dementia booklets on the admission of our patients – this provides us with any previous occupations, likes and dislikes, what family members there are, and comforts when struggling to cope.

This is then available to staff looking after your loved one, so we that we can solely focus on personalised therapeutic activity plans. Patient-centred care is vital for all our patients.

Have there been any mentors or colleagues who have significantly influenced your practice, and in what way?

Many have influenced my path, I have worked with fantastic people in my own dementia team, our nursing teams, doctors and other clinicians.

On our ward we have a great mix of both experience and youth, which we are always learning on the job from each other.

My biggest inspiration from a colleague, I would have to say is my father (Benny Cassidy), after retiring earlier this year after 39 years’ service.

He always repeated the phrase about finding the right job “when you love a job you do, you will never work a day in your life”. I must admit I now share that feeling.

My mother-in-law (Liz Brennan) is also a dementia champion who works with the South West Acute Hospital discharge team.

What are your aspirations for the future, and how do you envision the evolution of your role within South West Acute Hospital?

As the number of people diagnosed with dementia increases daily and the requirements for suitable placements are nearly impossible to find, we have to constantly review our plans for meeting the demands of our patients.

My aspirations for the future is to be leading teams and fighting for a better future.

How do you believe your efforts contribute to the overall excellence and advancement of healthcare services in our local community?

By educating and giving families a toolbox of coping strategies and interventions whilst in hospital, that they may adapt for them to continuing life in their own home, if possible.

By providing a great service and support bubble in hospital, we can regain confidence that anything is possible.

I will always give my all for every patient in my care.

We started off as an extra service and part of a pilot programme, and went on to become one of the most in-demand teams in the hospital – that speaks for itself.

I am proud to work for the Western Trust.