TWO dementia care leaders at Airedale Hospital who have played a major role in helping sufferers of the condition were runners-up in a national awards scheme.

Elaine Andrews and Eileen Proud both reached the finals of the prestigious National Dementia Care Awards.

And although they didn't take the top accolade in last week's (Nov 11) presentation ceremony at the Hilton Hotel, Brighton, they were chuffed to reach the last stage.

"We had a wonderful evening and whilst we didn't win the awards in our categories we were still delighted with our achievement," said Mrs Andrews, Airedale NHS Foundation Trust's assistant director of patient safety.

She was nominated in the inspirational leader category and Mrs Proud, chairman of the Friends of Airedale, was shortlisted in the lifetime achievement section.

Sweeping improvements have been carried out at Airedale Hospital to help people with dementia.

The trust secured half-a-million pounds from the Department of Health to launch a Here To Care project, a rolling refurbishment programme to make four wards more dementia-friendly.

The scheme involved representatives from the voluntary sector, patients, carers and members of the trust’s environment sub group.