15.12.11

Acute hospitals in Gloucestershire have been highlighted for their proactive approach to Dementia care in a national Royal College of Psychiatrist Report out today.

 

The Trust has scored in the top quarter of hospitals in the National Dementia Audit.

 

Consultant in General and Old Age Medicine Dr Ian Donald said:

“We are very pleased to find that we scored in the top quarter of hospitals nationally. However, we are not complacent, and continue to make dementia care a top priority.

 

“We are proud of our Mental Health Liaison service which runs 7 days a week, the e-learning course on dementia which over half the staff have completed already, and our increasing use of the ‘This is me’ document where their family help us to see the dementia aided by the family.

 

“We now have dementia champions in all wards and departments who can help staff deliver good dementia care. Recognising the person with dementia is vital, and so we are working closely with partner organisations to identify sufferers earlier, and are now introducing to the hospital a symbol to show which of our patients require special time and help. We are confident that next year's national dementia audit will show further improvements in Gloucestershire”.

 

The report outcome follows a recent visit from the Strategic Health Authority Dementia Peer Review. The Review panel was made up of professionals, patient representatives, carers and commissioners as well as representatives from the Alzheimer’s Society.

 

The panel praised our Dementia policy, the range of work to safeguard vulnerable older patients and for our work with Dementia Champions.

 

The feedback also coincides with preparations for the launch of the new purple butterfly signage on our wards. The new signage will be placed on a patient’s bed head in the New Year to help raise awareness of the needs of patients with dementia and cognitive impairment.

 

Nursing Director Maggie Arnold said: "We are passionate about improving care for older patients and Safeguarding our most vulnerable is one of the most important things we can do."