Going above and beyond: Occupational therapist honoured for exceptional dementia care and advice
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MAKING A DIFFERENCE: Bryan Plimmer
A Senior Occupational Therapist at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust received heartfelt appreciation for providing invaluable support and guidance to a dementia patient and their family. Bryan Plimmer, serving as the Senior Occupational Therapist for Older People’s Day Services at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, was commended for his exceptional assistance to a family in Derby.
He went the extra mile by offering crucial information on benefits and connecting them with the local carers association to access additional support. Recognised in the Trust’s Delivering Excellence Every Day (DEED) awards, Bryan demonstrated outstanding dedication and care in his interactions with a dementia patient and their family.
With over 12 years of experience as an occupational therapist, Bryan has witnessed firsthand the positive impact of timely and tailored support on dementia patients, making his work particularly fulfilling. He supports the running of the Living Well with Dementia five-week programme group, which aims to provide information, advice, and support to individuals after receiving the diagnosis of dementia.
The nomination read: “After finishing the Living Well with Dementia programme, a service user's wife wished to extend her personal thanks and gratitude to Bryan. She expressed his encouragement for carer's support, praised his programme delivery and said that she has now been able to receive additional financial support following his advice. She thanked the whole team for their support in their attendance, with sincere gratitude to Bryan.”
Dave Mason, Director of Nursing, Allied Health Professionals and Patient Experience at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Bryan is part of an exceptional team working to support people who are learning to cope with dementia. The team provides a range of support such as short-term intervention of psychoeducational groups to older adults within Derby City and Derbyshire for individuals who are predominantly over the age of 65.”
Reflecting on Dave’s words, Bryan said: “The difference we make is that those with dementia and their carers need support after getting a dementia diagnosis, and they often don’t know what to do next. Through our programme we can identify all the support available in their local area and we equip them with the knowledge to move forward.
"This means that they can live well with their diagnosis, improving their overall wellbeing. It is great to hear that what we have achieved has had such an impact on people’s lives.
"It makes the experience of living with dementia less isolating and daunting, so I feel good knowing that I have had a positive impact on someone's life.”
If anyone has experienced good care from a member of staff at Derbyshire Healthcare NHS Foundation Trust, they can nominate them through the DEED scheme by filling out a DEED nomination form on the Trust website.
Location: Derby in Derbyshire
