Carers week: Vale of Leven Hospital

This Carers Week, we are highlighting the vital role of carers and the health and care professionals supporting them. At the Vale of Leven General Hospital in Alexandria, Senior Charge Nurse Morven Cowie leads the Fruin and Katrine wards, which care for patients living with dementia and complex mental health needs. Many experience high levels of distress, including agitation, aggression, and disinhibition.

For Morven and her team, finding ways to manage these behaviours whilst reducing the patient’s reliance on medication is an essential part of patient care. One approach that has shown to have a real impact is the inclusion of live music.

“We have seen the benefits of music in a clinical setting,” Morven explains. “Live music can significantly reduce anxiety and agitation. It offers comfort, calms the environment and creates a shared experience that can be genuinely therapeutic for both patients and those around them.”

Over the years, Morven has supported many carers visiting loved ones on the wards. She recognises the emotional and physical toll of caring for someone with complex mental health needs and how isolating the experience can often be.

“My biggest piece of advice to carers is to reach out and accept the help that is available,” she says. “There can be a sense of guilt around doing so, but people should not feel guilty. Everyone needs help at some point, and accepting support allows you to spend more meaningful time with your loved one.”

This year, the theme of Carers Week is Caring About Equality, which aims to raise awareness of the inequalities faced by unpaid carers, including increased risks of poverty, poor health and social isolation.

“Speaking to carers, I know many feel they have to carry the burden alone,” Morven adds. “Caring is a full-time responsibility, and without support, carer burnout can happen very quickly.”

Kirstyn Knowles, Music in Hospitals & Care’s Live Music Manager in Scotland, said: “Carers play a really important role in the lives of the people they care for, which usually goes on with very little recognition or respite. We are so fortunate to be able to work alongside professionals like Morven who understand how live music can reduce stress, ease anxiety and create moments of connection in even the most challenging times.”

Carers Week is an opportunity to celebrate the resilience of carers everywhere and highlight the importance of creating live music experiences where they can feel connected with their loved one and share new memories.