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Barbara’s Story

This film follows the journey of an older woman called Barbara through her healthcare journey as her dementia gradually advances.

Description

Barbara’s Story was launched by Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust to raise awareness of how it feels to be a patient with dementia. The films follow the journey of an older woman called Barbara through several episodes of care.

Each film focuses on a different point in her care journey, powerfully showing her perception of interaction with healthcare staff as her disease process continues.

Credit

Guy’s and St Thomas’ NHS Foundation Trust
White Boat TV

Producer/director

Chris Godwin
Dame Eileen Sills
Mala Karasu
Nick Gardner

Episodes

Episode 1 – The Appointment
Episode 2 – The Fall
Episode 3 – Consent And Delirium
Episode 4 – Dementia Diagnosis
Episode 5 – This Is Me
Episode 6 – End Of Life

Reflective questions

Barbara’s Story: Episode 1
The Appointment

13 minutes, 22 seconds

Barbara’s Story: Episode 2
The Fall

12 minutes, 32 seconds

Barbara’s Story: Episode 3
Consent And Delirium

10 minutes, 50 seconds

Barbara’s Story: Episode 4
Dementia Diagnosis

17 minutes, 37 seconds

Barbara’s Story: Episode 5
This Is Me

14 minutes, 29 seconds

Barbara’s Story: Episode 6
End Of Life

20 minutes, 7 seconds

Reflective questions

Below you will find reflection questions designed to encourage thoughtful, open discussion about Barbara’s Story. They are written to work well with mixed groups (clinical, non‑clinical, leaders, students) and to support reflective conversations. 

First thoughts

  1. What moment or scene stayed with you most strongly, and why do you think it affected you? 
  2. How did Barbara’s story make you feel as a viewer before it made you think as a professional? 
  3. Was there a point where your understanding or perspective shifted? What triggered that change? 

Communication and small actions 

  1. Which small actions in the story had the biggest impact on Barbara’s experience? 
  2. Where did communication breakdown, and how did that affect Barbara emotionally? 
  3. How did tone, body language and pace matter as much as words in Barbara’s care? 

Power, vulnerability and systems 

  1. When did Barbara have the least control over what was happening to her? How did that feel to watch? 
  2. How do systems, routines and time pressures unintentionally increase vulnerability for people like Barbara? 
  3. Which moments felt “routine” for staff but distressing for Barbara. Why? 

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