Old photos put smiles on patients’ faces

Patients at Derriford Hospital’s Sharp Ward are enjoying historic views of the city thanks to a special display of 22 photographs of old Plymouth.

The images have been donated by Plymouth City Museum and Art Gallery after Sandra Spencer, a Health Care Assistant on Sharp Ward, approached Museum staff to see if they could contribute to a memory box for the dementia patients staying on the ward.

Sandra said: “I would like to thank the Museum on behalf of all of the staff on Sharp Ward. These photographs will definitely enhance the patients’ stay in hospital.

“Since we have put the photos up throughout the ward, patients and visitors have really enjoyed looking at them. We will shortly be having the ward decorated, so it will look lovely once everything is finished.”

Councillor Ian Tuffin, Cabinet Member for Health and Adult Social Care said: “We deliver a variety of services for people living with dementia and were delighted to have the opportunity to work with Sandra and Sharp Ward on this. “The photographs of old Plymouth are from the Museum and Art Gallery’s collections and people get such pleasure reminiscing about what the city used to look like.

"It’s great that they’re being put to such good use.”