Improving dementia care in the hospital
At least one in four people in hospitals have dementia. Today, this vital subject was discussed at an event held by the RCN Society of Orthopaedic and Trauma Nursing Forum and attended by more than 50 delegates. The aim of the session was to encourage members to think about dementia care in their own work settings.
Speakers shared their own experiences of dementia care practice as well as informing members about the increasing prevalence of dementia, it is estimated that one million people will be diagnosed with dementia by 2021. Julie Santy-Tomlinson, a nurse educator from the University of Hull said it was important that nursing staff take ownership of their own learning regarding dementia, to improve care for patients, by engaging colleagues in the benefits and resources available to assist with dementia care. She highlighted resources available from the RCN to equip members to become ‘dementia champions’, such as a toolkit for caring for dementia patients on hospital wards. Jean Rodgers, a nurse from Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Practice Education Facilitator and RCN learning representative set out the simple steps which nursing staff can do to reduce anxiety for dementia patients such as signage, diaries and reminder notes. JP Nolan, RCN Nurse Adviser for Acute and Emergency Care stressed the importance of dementia services being properly commissioned in the same way that other illnesses are.
Dementia: Commitment to the care of people with dementia in hospital settings is available at www.rcn.org.uk/dementia.
