This article is from the source 'bbc' and was first published or seen on . It last changed over 40 days ago and won't be checked again for changes.
You can find the current article at its original source at http://www.bbc.co.uk/go/rss/int/news/-/news/health-16206169
The article has changed 6 times. There is an RSS feed of changes available.
| Version 2 | Version 3 |
|---|---|
| Dementia care: Hospitals 'must make improvements' | Dementia care: Hospitals 'must make improvements' |
| (40 minutes later) | |
| By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News | By Nick Triggle Health correspondent, BBC News |
| Hospitals in England and Wales are falling short in the care given to dementia patients, a review says. | Hospitals in England and Wales are falling short in the care given to dementia patients, a review says. |
| The Royal College of Psychiatrists' audit of 210 hospitals - the first of its kind - says while services are safe, they are lacking in other areas. | The Royal College of Psychiatrists' audit of 210 hospitals - the first of its kind - says while services are safe, they are lacking in other areas. |
| The report highlights issues such as poor communication with families and a lack of personal care for patients. | The report highlights issues such as poor communication with families and a lack of personal care for patients. |
| Dementia campaigners said a "radical change" was needed to ensure patients got the care they needed. | |
| Patients with the condition tend to fare worse than other patients when they enter hospital. | |
| But the report says far too little is being done to get them access to specialist services, or to prepare for their discharge from hospital by liaising with community services. | But the report says far too little is being done to get them access to specialist services, or to prepare for their discharge from hospital by liaising with community services. |
| It also criticises the basic planning arrangements in place for what are a vulnerable group of patients. | |
| Basic help with activities such as eating is also insufficient in some places, the report says. | Basic help with activities such as eating is also insufficient in some places, the report says. |
| 'Shocking' | 'Shocking' |
| Staff told the reviewers that they felt they lacked the skills to deal with dementia patients, with fewer than a third saying they had had sufficient training. | Staff told the reviewers that they felt they lacked the skills to deal with dementia patients, with fewer than a third saying they had had sufficient training. |
| But the failings are also related to a lack of quite simple but effective measures, such as placing family photographs or cards where the patient can see them, or displaying larger signs. | But the failings are also related to a lack of quite simple but effective measures, such as placing family photographs or cards where the patient can see them, or displaying larger signs. |
| Fewer than half of the hospitals had a process in place for sharing information with families. | Fewer than half of the hospitals had a process in place for sharing information with families. |
| However, the report acknowledges that many hospitals have started improving their practices in light of the interim findings, which have already been passed on to them. | However, the report acknowledges that many hospitals have started improving their practices in light of the interim findings, which have already been passed on to them. |
| Professor Peter Crome, who led the review, said he hoped this would lead to improvements in the coming years. | Professor Peter Crome, who led the review, said he hoped this would lead to improvements in the coming years. |
| But he added: "This report provides further concrete evidence that the care of patients with dementia is in need of a radical shake-up." | But he added: "This report provides further concrete evidence that the care of patients with dementia is in need of a radical shake-up." |
| Andrew Chidgey, head of policy at the Alzheimer's Society, told BBC Radio 4's Today programme: "Unless we see a radical change in the way this is happening at the moment, we are going to see not just more people with dementia not getting the care they need, but a health service which is under incredible pressure because of the financial situation. | |
| "What is important to note here is people are not going into hospital for treatment of dementia, they are going in for other things but when they get there they often stay far longer than other patients with the same condition, and many callers to our helpline are saying people are coming out of hospital worse than when they went in. | |
| "Unless we get this new system in place and help people before their needs get worse, we are going to see more people in hospital or care homes far too early." | |
| Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said the government was determined to improve standards, and from next year would be introducing a financial incentive to encourage hospitals in England to screen patients for dementia when they were admitted for other conditions, so they could improve care. | |
| He added: "The result of this audit should be a must read for every medical and nursing director. It is time for the NHS to put in place the training and support that improves the care and treatment of people with dementia and saves money too." | He added: "The result of this audit should be a must read for every medical and nursing director. It is time for the NHS to put in place the training and support that improves the care and treatment of people with dementia and saves money too." |
| Do you work in a hospital? Do you feel you lack the skills to deal with dementia patients? Do you have a relative with dementia? What is your experience of dementia care in hospitals? Send us your comments using the form below: | Do you work in a hospital? Do you feel you lack the skills to deal with dementia patients? Do you have a relative with dementia? What is your experience of dementia care in hospitals? Send us your comments using the form below: |