A PHOTOGRAPHY student has produced a series of moving black and white images documenting her grandfather's final days suffering from dementia.

Zaria Sleith's grandfather Jimmy, from Carfin, passed away in February at the age of 88.

Zaria has praised a new initiative run by NHS Lanarkshire that lets families stay with patients with dementia around the clock.

She said it allowed her to give her grandfather his last ice-cream, a favourite treat and chat to him before he lost the ability to speak.

She was one of the first to benefit from Wishaw General Hospital’s participation in John’s Campaign, a ground-breaking national initiative that ensures patients with dementia can have their loved-ones at their bedside at all times.

Zaria has produced a book, Please Don’t Forget, documenting her grandfather's final days.

Zaria, 28, said: “My Papa was receiving end-of-life care on ward 6 and the staff couldn’t have been more understanding.

"They all got to know who I was as I was able to be there outside regular visiting hours.

“That meant I was there the day before my Papa lost his ability to speak, allowing us a final conversation. I was able to go in at mealtimes, meaning I was there to give him his last ever ice-cream – a favourite treat.

“He loved cuddles and we would snuggle up in bed for a sleep. I’d hear the nurses look in and say ‘Just leave them’. Moments like that meant a lot.”

 “I was there to hold him at the end, which was very important to me.

“I think John’s Campaign is a fantastic idea as it gives great comfort to patients and their families and carers that they can be close to each other as much as possible during a hospital stay.”

Her book of photos, entitled Please Don’t Forget, was a project for her photography HND course at New College Lanarkshire.

She said: “It documents about 18 weeks in my Papa’s life coping with dementia, in and out of hospital.

"If even one person reads it and it makes a difference to their understanding of dementia, it will have been well worth it. I hope to set up a website to make it available for people to buy.” 

Lorraine Finnigan, coordinator for carers at Wishaw General,said: “John’s Campaign is of real benefit to carers and family members like Zaria because it means they can come and go when convenient and help their loved-ones have the best possible experience during their hospital stay.”