Supporting Patients with This Is Me® on Knightsbridge Ward

The This Is Me® form is designed to help ease that distress. It supports health and social care professionals in understanding you or the person you care for so they can provide the most appropriate and compassionate care.

Patients or carers can get the document from their GP, the Memory Assessment Team and other health and social care providers. It can also be downloaded. Relatives should bring it in as soon as someone is admitted.

Admiral Nurse Asma Pandor explains, "In an acute hospital setting, patients can feel vulnerable and disoriented. This Is Me® helps staff understand the person behind the illness so they can provide care that is truly personalised. Knowing a patient’s preferences, routines and what matters to them makes a real difference to how supported and safe they feel."

Using This Is Me® on the ward

On Knightsbridge Ward, single rooms give staff a unique advantage when using the This Is Me® document. Ward Manager Cecilia Abengoza explains that for patients who have a completed document, it is often placed on the door or in a folder in the room. This ensures staff can access key information quickly without having to search through other notes.

"Instead of piling up information when we show patients around we can see what we need at a glance," Cecilia says. Patients usually bring the document with them when admitted. Some complete it themselves, including personal notes or photographs, while others receive support to fill it out.

The document captures vital details such as preferred names, interests and how patients like to be approached. "Each patient is different," Cecilia says. "Some do not like lights switched on suddenly or unexpected knocking on the door. Knowing this in advance helps us reduce distress."

While often associated with dementia care, This Is Me® is also used for patients with learning disabilities or autism. It can include practical guidance, for example on how to prepare for procedures like blood tests to avoid agitation.

Supporting carers and families

Cecilia highlights that carers are an important part of the process. When family members visit, staff can provide information about what the ward offers and how the This Is Me® document can help. "It is an exchange," she explains. "We show them what is available and they may say 'Oh, I have this form for my relative.'"

This collaboration helps families feel involved and reassured that their loved one's preferences are respected. Cecilia emphasises that staff always inform both patients and families about how they can help make care safer and more comfortable. "We are here to help you but you also have to help us," she says. This shared responsibility includes preventing falls, pressure sores and other risks while in hospital.

Keeping staff informed

Ensuring all staff understand how to use This Is Me® is crucial. Knightsbridge Ward has a clinical nurse educator who provides face-to-face training and micro-coaching and tracks who has completed training. Cecilia explains, "What one staff member knows, everyone should know. It is a standard." This means new and temporary staff can quickly access the information they need to provide tailored care.

Making the document practical and accessible

To make This Is Me® easy to use, the ward has developed complementary tools. A simplified version called "About Me" highlights essential information about mobility, daily routines and care preferences. This allows staff including bank or temporary staff to understand key patient needs quickly without repeatedly asking questions.

Cecilia notes that brief, well-organised content works best when filling out This is Me. "It should highlight the important points, like what to do if the family is not present or what might cause distress," she says. Longer text can also help when there's more time and for when more detailed information is required.

Knightsbridge ward benefits from having single rooms, which makes it easier to store documents safely and accessibly. Magnetic boards and folders outside each room provide visible, easy-to-reference spots for This Is Me®, ensuring that staff can quickly see vital information even if it is not yet on electronic records.

A positive impact

Staff report that This Is Me® is useful for everyone from long-term team members to new or temporary staff. It allows them to understand the patient's preferences and needs immediately, reducing confusion and supporting smoother care. Cecilia says, "Even small steps like this make a big difference. It is about making the hospital a safe, welcoming place for everyone."

By combining professional expertise with personal knowledge from This Is Me® and related tools, Knightsbridge Ward staff can deliver care that is compassionate, individualised and responsive. Patients and families feel heard and supported while staff can work efficiently and safely.

Find the This is Me document here or ask a healthcare professional