Paula has been a registered nurse since 1986 and has always been passionate about care of the elderly. She immediately became aware of the importance of hydration in this vulnerable group of patients. After a long career break home educating her children, Paula returned to practice in private nursing homes where she was concerned to find the same situation in regard to the poor understanding and recognition of the dangers of dehydration to the elderly population.

In 2015 Paula became a clinical quality monitoring officer for Birmingham Cross City CCG, part of a team auditing quality in nursing homes across Birmingham. It didn’t surprise her to see the same issues reflected in many of the nursing homes visited. When Paula received an invitation from the Think Kidneys programme to be involved in developing resources specifically for care homes, it was an opportunity not to be missed.

Paula says that it has been a privilege to work with such passionate people developing the resources which will invariably lead to reduction in harm and distress to many individuals.