A hospital chaplain whose trips down memory lane, using vintage coins and old cigarette cards to reminisce with dementia patients, has been awarded a staff commendation award.
Reverend Dr Paul g Dempster received the award from Interim Chief Executive Adrian Marr after being nominated by Trust materials management officer, Andrew Fisk.
Paul supports patients and staff of all ages at Ipswich Hospital but the relationship he builds up with our dementia patients, prompted Andrew to put his name forward.
Paul g Dempster.
He said: “I often carry a half crown or an old penny and will ask them (patients) what they would spend it on.
“These are people that have had a life well lived and will often hold onto the coin and ask if they can spend it.
“I’ll say no but then ask them when decimalisation took place and that gets them reminiscing.
“They have got so many life skills and it’s about energising them and making them live again.
“The stories they have; I have met patients that have worked being enemy lines; I’ve met a chief in the Army; firefighters; local cobblers and watchmakers.
“When was the last time you met a watchmaker? I will go home and read up on their job so I can come back the next day and share some more moments.
“What could be more blessed than watching someone come alive when you reminisce with them, playing an old song, putting a coin in their hand, or showing them an old picture. You can’t beat it.”
Andrew Fisk (left), Paul g Dempster, ESNEFT Interim Chief Executive Adrian Marr and ESNEFT lead chaplain James Grenfell.
Paul, who has worked for the Trust for six years, said: “I am very lucky and I probably have the best job in the world. I love what I do, the patter in the corridors; the interaction with the staff and patients.
“An award like this makes you live again and realise that the smallest things you do make a difference. I just think I am doing my job.”
Andrew said Paul was a deserving winner: “He (Paul) was telling me stories about giving coins and cards to people with dementia and other cognitive issues, that would trigger their memories of the past, in a different way.
“I was given a bag of coins by my dad, so I brought some in for Paul and he has used them to perform magic tricks and to engage with patients
“He is inspiring and It’s nice for him to be recognised.”
Interim Chief Executive Adrian Marr said: “Paul is a deserving recipient for the added value that he gives to our patients, particularly those with dementia and how he treats them differently and makes that connection.
“That is the real essence of what our commendation awards are about.”
Patients, family member, visitors or staff members can nominate a colleague for a Commendation award.