Photographs of bygone Bradford are needed on Bradford Royal Infirmary’s elderly care wards in a bid to keep dementia patients relaxed and at ease during their hospital stay.

Healthcare assistant Saraya Seed said: “Hospitals can often be frightening places for people with cognitive impairments but evidence has found that reminiscence items like pictures can make a patient’s stay more comfortable, especially if they are surrounded by scenes which bring back happy memories for them.

“We would like our walls to feature as many scenes and activities as possible from around the city in years gone by. We hope that the photographs will act as visual aids to help patients interact and socialise with other patients, staff and visitors.

“So please clear out your old drawers and cupboards as we are keen to use these old snaps to bring back many happy memories for all our patients.”

The ward is asking people to scan their photos and put them on a memory stick or disc as these can be easily transferred onto a computer projector for display.

Photographs can be sent to Saraya Seed or Dani Woods, c/o ward 30, Bradford Royal Infirmary, BD9 6RJ.