Lincolnshire hospital staff don PJs to help dementia patients sleep

Night staff at two hospitals will wear pyjama-style scrubs to help dementia patients get to sleep.

Abbi Eustace, from University Lincolnshire Hospitals NHS Trust, admitted it can be difficult for patients to relax.

"Our staff are happy to dress like we're heading to bed if it helps patients sleep better," she said.

Bosses at Lincoln County Hospital and Pilgrim Hospital in Boston have agreed to trial the clothing next month.

Ms Eustace, the trust's matron for older person's healthcare, said: "We all know how hard it can be to fall asleep in a different setting, particularly in hospitals, which can be noisy and bright despite staff's best efforts.

"We're hoping that creating visual reminders of bedtime with staff wearing pyjama-style scrubs, alongside our efforts to dim lights, reduce noise and introduce plain and dementia-friendly décor on wards, will help our patients feel more settled."

Volunteers at Horncastle Scrub Hub, which made gowns during the Covid pandemic, will sew the scrubs.

Ms Eustace said while the pyjama-style scrubs might seem "like a bit of fun", helping some of its most vulnerable patients feel more comfortable and safe in an unfamiliar environment was "one of our biggest challenges".

The trust plans to issue the scrubs on Carlton Coleby ward at Lincoln County Hospital, and wards 6A and 6B at Pilgrim Hospital.

The clothing could eventually be adopted by other elderly medicine wards if the trial was deemed successful, it added.

Shelly Wills, from Horncastle Scrub Hub, said they had "the most amazing group of volunteers", which has been raising funds and sewing scrubs and other essential items for the NHS and local community since the pandemic.

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