'Dementia is everybody's business'

Dementia-friendly rooms are being introduced to emergency departments across East Kent Hospitals as part of the Trust’s commitment to improve care.

A new dementia strategy was launched during Dementia Action Week, with six key objectives to improve the experience of people living with dementia who need hospital care.

National statistics reveal that approximately 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, with the total expected to rise to 1.1million by 2030 and 1.6million by 2050.

Jade Garlick, lead dementia nurse, said: “The Department of Health estimates that a quarter of hospital beds are occupied by someone living with dementia so it is vital that it is a real priority for the Trust and that staff do all they can to make people feel safe and cared for.

“Dementia really is everybody’s business and we have already made improvements since 2019, when we launched our previous dementia policy.

“Our new dementia strategy will build on this work and make sure we see past the diagnosis to the person, and work with them and their loved ones to provide the best possible care.”

The strategy sets out a three-year plan for the Trust to deliver high-quality, person-centred care to people who are living with a formal or suspected diagnosis of dementia, and their carers.

Its objectives include improving the environment, working in partnership with carers, and better links with community partners. Other priorities include improving staff skills with a tiered educational approach supporting the delivery of person-centred care.

Dementia-friendly rooms are being incorporated as part of the refurbishment and expansion of the emergency departments at the William Harvey Hospital in Ashford and the Queen Elizabeth The Queen Mother Hospital in Margate, and the hospital environment is regularly audited with specific criteria relating to dementia. All future building work will include dementia-friendly spaces where possible.

Staff will continue to focus and build on providing meaningful activities for people living with dementia, including music, hand massage and other sensory activities including aromatherapy, and reminiscence therapy. This includes using dedicated Reminiscence Interactive Therapy Activities (RITAs), some of which have been funded by East Kent Hospitals Charity, thanks to community and staff fundraising.

Lunch clubs will be re-introduced after many were paused during the coronavirus pandemic, and teams will explore opportunities for people living with dementia to access outdoor spaces.

The Trust will also continue to support John’s Campaign, allowing carers of people living with dementia to stay with them in hospital.

Jade said: “By providing opportunities for people living with dementia to be active during the day we can help them have meaningful rest at night, which can aid their recovery.

“We will also develop a dementia service user group, in collaboration with the patient voice and involvement team, to make sure their voices, and those of their carers and loved ones, are heard.

“We have introduced carers’ passports and will be working with patient and carer groups to obtain feedback to continually strive to improve quality and services for people living with dementia.

“Our new dementia strategy will build on this work and make sure we see the person first not the diagnosis. Our focus will be to strive to provide outstanding personalised care in every ward and department throughout the Trust.”