Healthcare professionals joined with Northallerton residents to mark World Delirium Awareness Day at The Friarage Hospital.
The aim of the event was to encourage people to become more familiar with the warning signs of delirium – and to highlight the need to “spot it, treat it, and stop it”.
“Delirium is usually marked by the onset of sudden confusion,” said Sharon Airey, team manager of TEWV’s Acute Hospital Liaison service in Hambleton and Richmondshire.
“Spotting the warning signs of delirium can be lifesaving, which is why we need to raise awareness. It can be prevented if people have a better understanding of what causes it.”
Chance to find out more about delirium
The decision to mark World Delirium Day followed research by a Trust junior doctor, who found awareness needed to be raised to help people better understand the condition.
Hambleton and Richmondshire Acute Hospital Liaison team joined forces with the Hospital at Home team at The Friarage to host the event – with support from the Friends of Friarage.
“The key attractions were the Melissa bus, which delivers healthcare training, and a virtual reality simulation of what it’s like to experience delirium. These both helped to provide a great insight into the condition,” said Sharon.
“We also held teaching sessions for both health professionals and members of public, which were well supported and received very positive feedback.”
Warning signs to watch out for
Delirium has a range of causes but can be brought on when someone has an underlying illness, an infection, or has suffered a severe injury such as a hip fracture.
Some of the main signs of delirium can be:
- Confusion
- Disorientation
- Agitation
- Hallucination
“Recognising the change in a person’s behaviour, and knowing how to act accordingly, means delirium and its underlying causes can be treated as soon as possible,” said Sharon.
“That is why raising awareness about delirium, both among health professionals and in the community, is so important. The more people know, the more we may be able to prevent it.”
- Particular thanks for organising the event go to: Imogen Pawlowska, RMN of the Acute Hospital Liaison team, Lauren Hartley RGN from the Hospital at Home team and Anna Wilson Dementia Lead of South Tees trust, with support and guidance from Drs Venkatesh Muthukrishnan (Consultant Psychiatrist, TEWV), Rachel Holt (Consultant Geriatrician, South Tees Trust) and Sharon Airey.
