Colette Bonner (top left) and Michelle Tenant (top right) have been appointed following a joint recruitment campaign between Health and Social Care and Dementia UK, the specialist dementia nursing charity.

The charity has partially funded the two roles to start with as well. 

Above: The Dementia UK website lists many ways in which the Admiral Nurses can help people living with dementia, and their carers and families.

Work on the new scheme started in early 2021, when the Bailiwick's planned Dementia Pathway highlighted additional needs around the carers and families of people living with dementia.

The two newly appointed Admiral Nurses are the first to offer this service in the Channel Islands and they have the wider support of the other 428 Admiral Nurses working across the British Isles. 

Ms Bonner and Ms Tenant will "strengthen and compliment the current dementia pathway and provide specialist support within the locality for people with dementia and their families/carers who are experiencing the complexities of dementia" according to Maisie Ogier from Dementia UK who has helped on the background work to introduce the scheme locally.

Pictured: Admiral Nurses work primarily with the families of people living with dementia to support them.

The charity cites dementia as the leading cause of death in the UK with one person developing the condition every three minutes there. 

Ms Ogier, Area Business Development Manager at the charity, said the two new Admiral Nurses will help people affected locally.

“The last few years have placed increasing pressure on local services that support families with dementia. This has left many families unable to cope with no one to turn to for support.

“We are so pleased to be working with the States of Guernsey to ensure that families affected by dementia in the Bailiwick can access the specialist support provided by this new Admiral Nurse service.”

Sian Ogier, Associate Director Specialist Mental Health and Adult Disability Services, agreed that the specialist support will be invaluable to many families locally.

 Pictured: Sian Ogier and Maisie Ogier have worked together on introducing Admiral Nurses in Guernsey.

“We are delighted to be able to launch this specialist service in Guernsey. We have recruited two Admiral Nurses, Colette Bonner and Michelle Tennant, to provide this new service," said Ms Ogier.

“Most people with dementia live at home and express their choice to remain there as long as possible. Admiral Nurses offer families reassurance, understanding and a listening ear that helps them feel more in control.”

The Admiral Nurses will be working with charities and health authorities and can accept self referrals from families and carers already supporting people living with dementia.

Referrals will also be accepted from charities such as the Guernsey Alzheimer’s Association, friends, neighbours, GPs or other health care professionals.