RCHT Dementia Care Policy - the Royal Cornwall Hospitals Trust ...

The NHS Confederation Report: Acute Awareness – Improving hospital care of
people with dementia
Published in June 2010 and focusing on improving outcomes, quality and efficiency, it
draws attention to the themes of: early patient identification of people with dementia in
hospital services; effective care pathways; training; the use of anti-psychotic drug;
nutrition; the care environment; effective discharge; leadership; liaison teams and
involvement of patient and carers.
The report concludes with a call for acute hospitals to re-think their services so efficiencies
can start and been sent through the delivery of: early identification of people with
dementia, leading to shorter stays and reduced hospital infections and on discharge
patients leaving with an appropriate care plan to help reduce the risk of readmission.
Therefore the hospital’s pathway interface at the point of admission and on discharge is
crucial to improving efficiencies as well as dementia care.
NHS Cornwall and Isles of Scilly Strategy
‘Improve care and support for people with dementia and their families’, section seven of
the local strategic plan for improving health in Cornwall and the Isles of Scilly 2008/09 to
2012/13:. It is recognised that the county has a comparatively high number of people with
dementia and low formal detection rates, which reinforces the demographic challenge
dementia holds for all health and social care services. The document presents a joint
commissioning plan, with Cornwall Council, that sets out fifteen immediate priorities. Five
are highlighted below as being significant to our Trust dementia strategy:
Improve public awareness of dementia
Implement specialist training for GPs, pharmacists and other health and social
care staff
Reduce the inappropriate use of antipsychotic medication as a means of
managing behaviour which challenges in all care settings
Improve the quality of dementia care in hospitals
Improve end of life care for people with dementia
This has been translated further into ‘Caring for People with Dementia and their Families -
A Plan for the Commissioning and Development of Services in Cornwall and the Isles of
Scilly’ and ten commissioning intentions are set out:
Planned increases in the level of recognition and diagnosis of dementia.
The development of care services for people with dementia and their carers as
part of an integrated service for Older People.
Agreed system of assessment in place across primary community and specialist
services.
Arrangements to achieve effective management and continuity of care and
support following diagnosis.
A fully funded Health and Social Care Education and Training Plan.
Assessment and alternative provision to secure more appropriate planned
hospital admission and entry into long term care.
Examination of options to provide crisis support through existing service or new
providers.
Arrangements for improved liaison services and support to cover transitions and
movements between care environments.
Common contract specifications to ensure appropriate standards, safeguards
and specialist support in care homes.
Raised standards for end of life care in line with national guidelines.
RCHT Dementia Policy
Page 11 of 21