As co-chair of the Older People’s Forum, it is with immense pride that I reflect on the success of our first webinar, co-organised by our dedicated members, Jo Roche and Tess Murdoch. It’s not often you get 200 people registering for an event after a single email, but that’s exactly what happened for us - a testament to the importance of the topic and the value our speakers brought to the table. Even more rewarding was the sight of approximately 190 participants who joined the live session, making it a truly special and meaningful milestone for our forum.
Our first webinar was focused on delirium - a condition often overshadowed in clinical discussions, but one that is profoundly impactful for older people, especially those with dementia. The lineup of experts we had was nothing short of exceptional.
First, we were honoured to have Dr. Ahmad Khundakar, a leading researcher from Teesside and Newcastle University, whose deep dive into the ‘basics’ of delirium was enlightening for all. Ahmad carefully laid out the biological foundations, explaining the brain’s chemical interactions, particularly focusing on neurotransmitter systems like GABA, Dopamine, and Acetylcholine. His explanation of how systemic inflammation relates to delirium helped many of us better understand why this condition is so prevalent among people living with dementia. On a personal note, I found it inspiring to hear about Ahmad’s own journey into delirium research - a career shaped by curiosity and a desire to improve outcomes for patients after a personal experience with his mum. We are deeply grateful for his time.
Next, we welcomed Dio Giotas, Dementia and Delirium Clinical Nurse Specialist from Guy's & St. Thomas NHS Trust. Dio’s practical approach resonated with our audience, many of whom work in clinical settings. He shared a useful acronym to help us remember the key aspects of delirium and spoke about the risk factors we need to keep in mind. I was particularly struck by his discussion of what delirium feels like from the patient’s perspective - an important reminder for us all to approach this condition with empathy. Dio’s insights into non-pharmacological methods of preventing delirium, as well as his explanation of the 4AT rapid clinical test, provided tangible tools that will undoubtedly enhance how we care for our patients.
Our final speaker was Dr. Gary Mitchell MBE, my fellow co-chair and a reader in education at Queen's University Belfast. Gary’s involvement in writing the 2023 NICE Guidelines for Delirium added a significant layer of expertise to the discussion. His analogy of comparing delirium to scenes from the popular Netflix series 'Stranger Things' was both creative and thought-provoking. It helped frame the disorienting, often frightening experience that delirium can present for patients. Gary’s top 10 tips from the NICE Guidelines were a valuable takeaway, reminding us all of the importance of early prevention and the role we, as nurses, can play in mitigating the effects of delirium.
The webinar ended on a high note, with Jo and Tess expressing heartfelt thanks to our speakers. Their commitment to pulling this event together is a testament to the dedication of our forum members. If you missed the live session, don’t worry - the webinar recording is available on our forum page, and we encourage everyone to check it out.
This was just the beginning. As we look to 2025, we plan to organise more webinars that will tackle pressing issues in older people’s care. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved, and I am incredibly excited about what’s to come.
Stay tuned!
Steph
Our first webinar was focused on delirium - a condition often overshadowed in clinical discussions, but one that is profoundly impactful for older people, especially those with dementia. The lineup of experts we had was nothing short of exceptional.
First, we were honoured to have Dr. Ahmad Khundakar, a leading researcher from Teesside and Newcastle University, whose deep dive into the ‘basics’ of delirium was enlightening for all. Ahmad carefully laid out the biological foundations, explaining the brain’s chemical interactions, particularly focusing on neurotransmitter systems like GABA, Dopamine, and Acetylcholine. His explanation of how systemic inflammation relates to delirium helped many of us better understand why this condition is so prevalent among people living with dementia. On a personal note, I found it inspiring to hear about Ahmad’s own journey into delirium research - a career shaped by curiosity and a desire to improve outcomes for patients after a personal experience with his mum. We are deeply grateful for his time.
Next, we welcomed Dio Giotas, Dementia and Delirium Clinical Nurse Specialist from Guy's & St. Thomas NHS Trust. Dio’s practical approach resonated with our audience, many of whom work in clinical settings. He shared a useful acronym to help us remember the key aspects of delirium and spoke about the risk factors we need to keep in mind. I was particularly struck by his discussion of what delirium feels like from the patient’s perspective - an important reminder for us all to approach this condition with empathy. Dio’s insights into non-pharmacological methods of preventing delirium, as well as his explanation of the 4AT rapid clinical test, provided tangible tools that will undoubtedly enhance how we care for our patients.
Our final speaker was Dr. Gary Mitchell MBE, my fellow co-chair and a reader in education at Queen's University Belfast. Gary’s involvement in writing the 2023 NICE Guidelines for Delirium added a significant layer of expertise to the discussion. His analogy of comparing delirium to scenes from the popular Netflix series 'Stranger Things' was both creative and thought-provoking. It helped frame the disorienting, often frightening experience that delirium can present for patients. Gary’s top 10 tips from the NICE Guidelines were a valuable takeaway, reminding us all of the importance of early prevention and the role we, as nurses, can play in mitigating the effects of delirium.
The webinar ended on a high note, with Jo and Tess expressing heartfelt thanks to our speakers. Their commitment to pulling this event together is a testament to the dedication of our forum members. If you missed the live session, don’t worry - the webinar recording is available on our forum page, and we encourage everyone to check it out.
This was just the beginning. As we look to 2025, we plan to organise more webinars that will tackle pressing issues in older people’s care. I couldn’t be prouder of what we’ve achieved, and I am incredibly excited about what’s to come.
Stay tuned!
Steph
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