STAFF at a new GP practice in Radcliffe have trained to become Dementia Friends as part of an initiative to offer innovative, forward-thinking care to patients.

Members of the team from the Rock @Radcliffe practice, which is based at the Radcliffe Primary Care Centre Centre on Church Street West in the town, took part in the session to mark Dementia Awareness Week.

The practice, which opened in April, hopes the training will give staff the skills to better understand and support patients and members of the community who live with the condition.

Led by Laura Roberts, Chair of Bury Dementia Action Alliance, the session offered staff an insight into what it’s like to live with dementia and provided advice and guidance on the help they can provide to people who have the condition.

Simon de Vial, GP Chair of Rock Healthcare said: “At Rock we aim to create a GP service that looks at new ways of responding to the needs of our patients. As part of that we want all our staff to have a greater awareness of what dementia is and how they can help and support both those living with the condition and their families, friends and carers.

“With so many people now living with or caring for someone with dementia, we believe becoming a dementia friendly practice is a key step to helping to achieve a healthier community here in Radcliffe.”

Speaking of the training with Rock @Radcliffe, Laura said: “By taking part in the session the staff at Rock @Radcliffe are helping to create a dementia friendly community in the town. Attending a Dementia Friends awareness session enables people to recognise the condition and act more sympathetically towards those living with it.

“This can have a huge impact in helping to reduce the stigma around dementia and encourages people who have the condition to ‘live well’ rather than feeling isolated and alone.”