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Suzanne Mumford

Head of Dementia and Lifestyles

Care UK

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As Head of Dementia and Lifestyles for Care UK, Suzanne Mumford works collaboratively with colleagues to develop the dementia and lifestyle strategies that ensure the highest standards of care delivery to over 9,000 residents. Suzanne is a visible role model to nursing and care colleagues, supporting a consistent and sustainable approach that embeds evidence-based practice.

After training in Southampton and specialising in neurology and neurosurgery, Suzanne discovered a love of teaching and coaching others, which has been a crucial component to her career overall. After running a training company specialising in healthcare, she initially joined Care UK in 2018 as Quality Development Manager and has since progressed to lead a new team under the direction of Rachel Harvey, the organisation’s Director of Care, Quality and Governance. 

Suzanne credits the “constant innovation and drive” within the sector as her motivation. She is always looking for ways to improve the practice of dementia care and passes this passion onto the Approach to Care Team, which she leads. 

Suzanne is a regular contributor and speaker at the National Dementia Congress and has presented at the Alzheimer’s Disease international conference in 2020. She is the Namaste International Ambassador for the United Kingdom and is the employer representative for the post-graduate programme with the Association for Dementia Studies at the University of Worcester. Suzanne recognises the value of continual professional development and is studying for a PhD, researching the leadership barriers to wider implementation of the Care Fit for VIPS framework for measuring the delivery of person-centred dementia care.

Experience

  • 45 Years as a Nurse

Qualifications

  • Registered General Nurse, MSc
  • Professional Certificate in Education
  • Postgraduate Certificate in Person Centred Dementia
  • Care Professional Certificate Neurology and Neurosurgery.
  • Queens Nurse.
  • PhD student.

Awards

  • The Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother Award for Outstanding Service View
  • Nursing in Social Care Award 2023 View
  • Queens Nursing Institute, William Rathbone X Award for Executive Nurse Leadership 2024

Areas of expertise

  • Residential care
  • Dementia care
  • Nursing care

External references

Levelling up dementia care round table - View

Leading sector initiatives

  • Resident Wellbeing Assessment Tool: During the COVID pandemic, she quickly recognised that many people living with dementia were unable to tolerate social isolation and were experiencing rapid weight loss and withdrawal. In response, she quickly developed the Resident Wellbeing Assessment Tool, which helped home managers identify people who were socially isolated to evidence that they needed to see a family member in person with additional infection prevention and control measures in place. Suzanne shared this with other dementia leaders within the industry to help them support their residents in the same way.

  • Namaste programme: Suzanne oversaw the implementation of a sector-leading initiative to help enrich the lives of those living with advanced dementia. The Namaste programme now runs across all Care UK homes to ensure those most impacted by dementia – between 12-13% of those living in our homes – receive a comforting, one-to-one sensory experience during dedicated sessions, which focus on their mental and physical wellbeing. As a result, residents have become more alert and communicative.

  • The Seacole Academy for Care and Clinical Excellence: Under Suzanne’s leadership, Care UK has launched an academy for the training and development of their care home nurses. The Seacole Academy for Care and Clinical Excellence gives nurses a programme within the organisation that formally recognises their professional commitment and development.

  • Reduction of Antipsychotic drug use:  Alongside her team of dementia specialist nurses, Suzanne has reduced the use of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia without a psychotic illness from 26% of occupancy to less than 10%. This was achieved through educating teams, evaluation of the challenges that lead to these drugs being prescribed. Implementing a programme of positive behaviour support. Suzanne’s team of specialist nurses are now being supported to socially prescribe music through Playlists for Life, comforting touch with Namaste care for people with advanced dementia, robotic animals, doll therapy and multiple gardening activities.

  • Access to audiology services: Research into hearing loss has identified that it can result in social isolation and an increased risk of developing dementia. Suzanne identified that many residents in care homes previously did not have regular access to audiology services, and can, as a result develop reversible hearing loss.  Working with the QNI and Tympa Health, Suzanne enabled access to this service and supported two nurses to train in otoscopy and micro-suction. The project led to a review of audiology and support service across Care UK and a strategy and implementation plan to ensure all residents have access to audiology services. 

  • The Big Dementia Conversation: Recently, Suzanne led  a Care UK campaign; The Big Dementia Conversation, to increase the discussion around dementia, tackle misconceptions and shedding light on topics that many find uncomfortable to talk about. Teaming up with Angela Rippon, Suzanne hosted a series of video discussions which look to provide support and comfort to those living with a loved one who is showing early signs of dementia. 

Leading sector initiatives
Leading sector initiatives
Leading sector initiatives

What others say

Rachel Harvey Care, Quality and Governance Director

What others say
 

“Her compassion and her leadership mean that colleagues at every level, and in many different roles, feel empowered to provide the best care possible for our residents. Those who live in our care homes are people who have lived rich, fulfilling lives and under Suzanne’s innovative initiatives, they can continue to do so.”

Rachel HarveyDirector of Care, Quality and Governance at Care UK

Shaping the national conversation around dementia

Shaping the national conversation around dementia

Suzanne plays a role in shaping the national conversation around dementia as a trustee for Dementia Community, a co-operative charity that seeks to engage the wider dementia community, including people living with dementia, their carers, social care organisations, the NHS, academic partners and nurses and care staff working directly with people with dementia. She is also on the Advisory Board for the Journal of Dementia Care.  Suzanne has been instrumental in working collaboratively with the Veteran Friendly Framework to pilot this programme of supporting veterans’ wellbeing needs and to achieve the Bronze Award accredited with the Ministry of Defence.

With her passion for working collaboratively and strategically with others to provide the highest standard of care delivery, Suzanne created a forum for Dementia Leads across the industry during the Covid-19 pandemic to share experience and best practice to support people living with dementia during this unprecedented time. This forum has continued post pandemic. 


 

I believe that it’s crucial to recognise each person as an individual and support them with kindness, understanding and empathy while respecting their dignity and personal choices. It is also important to recognise a person’s changing abilities and adapt our care and support to enable them to retain their independence, whatever that may look like for them.

Suzanne Mumford

Articles by Suzanne

The Big Dementia Conversation

Join our national conversation about dementia
One step at a time – a video guide to navigating dementia

One step at a time – a video guide to navigating dementia

From the moment you receive a diagnosis to learning to live well with dementia, we’re here to support you every step of the way. That’s why we’ve produced...