TELEVISION presenter Louise Minchin officially opened a newly refurbished ‘Memory Lane’ and patients’ lounge on elderly care wards at the Countess of Chester Hospital.

It comes after a year-long fundraising bid to raise £190,000 for wards 50 and 51 by the NHS hospital trust’s charity.

The BBC Breakfast presenter took to Twitter after the event to say: “Very nice to have a cup of tea and cake and officially open Memory Lane at the Countess of Chester Hospital.”

Posting before and after pictures of the wards, she added: “Spot the difference!”

Chester and District Standard:

The corridor has been transformed into a dementia-friendly 'Memory Lane'

The project was undertaken after it became apparent that the layout and facilities were not up to scratch on the two wards.

This was because more patients are now spending longer in hospital with more complex needs, including forms of dementia.

Clinicians travelled to other hospitals to look at best practice and the Countess Charity worked with the community, businesses and grant-making trusts to raise funds for improvements.

A dementia-friendly corridor with visual stimulation - called ‘Memory Lane’ - was created for patients and family members to walk along leading to a multi-function lounge.

The lounge is a place where patients can socialise and participate in the ‘My Life’ programme and families can discuss care. It includes a dining table for activities and meals with companions.

The room opens out on to the next part of the project – the creation of a garden. This is being backed by M&S Bank, which is providing money and volunteer time.

Chester and District Standard:

Louise Minchin with Edward Walton Liz Roberts from The Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust, Emma Rudolfsen, Ward Manager and Jenni Polvani-Jones.

The aim is to provide a safe, relaxing space in the fresh air away from the wards.

Lesley Woodhead, head of fundraising at the Countess, said: “A huge thank you to all who have made this possible through donations or attending one of our events.

“The ward managers and their teams have all put time and energy in to getting the best for their patients and we have an area to be very proud of that will make a difference every day to patients, staff and visitors.

“There is still more we want to do in this area and we would be very pleased to hear from anyone who would like to get involved.”

Donors include - Allington Hughes Law; Asda; The Birch Family; Black Mango; Blue Planet Aquarium; Brian Wilson Charitable Trust; Brown Shipley; Cheshire Oaks Honda; CF Fertilisers UK LTD; Chester Business Club; Cymau Male Voice Choir; Essar Oil(UK) Ltd; Gould Family Charitable Trust; Hays Travel; Hillyer Mc Keown LLP; Great Sutton Male Voice Choir; Jake Poole; Jean Cooke ; Jolliffe & Co LLP; Marjory Boddy Charitable Trust; Radfield Home Care; Ursula Keyes Trust; and Waitrose.

To get involved contact Hanna Clarke on 01244 366397 or email hanna.clarke@nhs.net