“Is it time for the NHS to hit back against fraudulent claims?”


Ann Shuttleworth on nursingtimes.net/ practiceblog


On this month in ... 1901


12 September 1901: New Zealand is the fi rst country to regulate nurses. The Nurses Registration Act came into eff ect on 1 January 1902, and Ellen Dougherty became the fi rst registered nurse in New Zealand and the world. Trained nurses could apply to be


registered and Ms


Dougherty was the fi rst. Nurses had to train for three years to be registered. UK registration began in 1919. (history-nz. org/colonisation3.html; www.teara.govt.nz/ en/biographies /2d15/1)


ROLE MODEL Recalling sporting heroes


One determined health professional, Tony Jameson-Allen, and his team are making strides to improve the quality of life for dementia patients using sport


The loss of memory experienced by people with dementia can be distressing for relatives, carers and their friends. Tony Jameson-Allen, Chris


Wilkins and Michael White found they had a way to bring old memories back to life for people with dementia. The technique, developed


by the trio as founding directors of the Sporting Memories Network, helps patients engage in meaningful and enjoyable conversation. The technique involves


using “replay cards” that have a photo of a sporting legend on one side and information about them on the other to trigger memories. Studies have shown that it


improves concentration and brings about a signifi cant rise in interest levels by helping people develop and focus on personalised memories. This has been particularly diffi cult to secure in older male patients and, as a result, the technique is now being used by Erskine, a veterans’ charity that runs care homes. “Simply sitting down and


Tony Jameson-Allen: sports reminiscence promotes mental health


engaging with people takes them back to a time when they were really passionate,” says Mr Jameson-Allen. “It can sometimes be


diffi cult to keep conversation fl owing with patients, but reading about sports legends whom they may have once admired can really help.” One patient for whom the technique was a success was former football player Bill. He had endless stories about football from the 1930s and 1940s. During his sessions, Bill was highly involved and, when asked by a researcher if he believed the technique was effective, he showed the researcher his handkerchief. “See this,” he said, “it’s


soaking wet with tears. Tears of joy.” Mr Jameson-Allen has held managerial and directorial positions in several mental


health foundations across the UK, and focuses on clinical expertise, partnership development and liaison, media relations and the web. Mr White concentrates on training and delivery, while Mr Wilkins focuses on product development, design and fi nance. Despite his work in mental


health, it wasn’t until Mr Jameson-Allen made contact with a programme in Scotland that he learnt of sports reminiscence. It may be a relatively new


idea but it has already received support from big names in sport, such as former English football manager and player Terry Butcher as well as Manchester United manager Sir Alex Ferguson. Originally established for


older men, the company has been implementing


reminiscence programmes aimed at women too. Mr Jameson-Allen is hoping


to expand the network, so has launched a training pack containing an introduction to sports reminiscence, a guide to planning and running a session, 48 replay cards and guidance on evaluation. The Sporting Memories


Network has also launched a weekly newspaper, The Sporting Pink, for care homes and individual subscribers, which contains archive photos, results and reports from past sporting events. The newspaper and the


training kit provides staff with an interesting way to connect with patients, which in turn, promotes mental health. This activity also benefi ts


patients’ friends and relatives. Mr Jameson-Allen recalled


one woman, in particular, who appreciates the effect sports reminiscence has on her husband. “After each session I get him


back for a little bit,” she says. ● For details, go to www.sport


ingmemoriesnetwork.com Sarah Goshen


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www.nursingtimes.net / Vol 108 No 36 / Nursing Times 04.09.12 31


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