Our later life and memory service inpatient wards provide support for adults with memory problems such as dementia who require short-term inpatient care. We have memory inpatient wards in Knowsley (Knowsley Resource and Recovery Centre - Rydal Unit), Warrington (Hollins Park - Kingsley Ward) and Wigan (Golborne Unit).

The ward environments on each of the three wards have been specially designed to meet the needs of people with memory problems, offering single ensuite rooms throughout the unit, activity rooms and a variety of communal seating areas as well as quiet spaces.

Our teams include doctors, nurses, health care assistants, a psychologist and activity worker who are all experienced in supporting people with dementia and other memory problems.

Who is our service for?

We care for people aged 65 years and over who have a memory problem such as dementia, who can no longer be supported in the community and require specialist inpatient support. Our wards are available for people living in Halton, Knowsley, St Helens, Warrington and Wigan.

You will usually be admitted to the ward closest to where you live but we may need to send you to one of the other two wards if your closest inpatient ward is full.

Who do we work in partnership with?

We work in partnership with a range of services. These include physiotherapy, speech therapy, audiology, dieticians, tissue viability nurses, specialist diabetes nurses, radiography, pharmacy, and infection control. We also work closely with our community teams, including the local Care Home Liaison Teams and Admiral Nursing Service in Halton and Knowsley.

How to access our service

If you are concerned that you or a family member may have a memory problem, contact your GP for an initial assessment.

If you are already in contact with a consultant psychiatrist about a memory problem, he or she will assess whether you need to be admitted to hospital and they will refer you if appropriate.

What will happen when you are admitted to the ward?

When you arrive at our wards, you will be shown to your room and around the unit. You will be seen by a doctor and within 72 hours you will meet your named nurse, who will have special responsibilities for your care while you're staying on the ward.