New resources to help care for people with dementia in hospital

Published: 09 October 2012

The Royal College of Nursing has launched a film and guide to help nursing staff care for people with dementia in hospital.

The new resources will support further implementation of the RCN’s five principles for improving the quality of care for people with dementia, and enable the best possible support for their carers.

Rachel Thompson, RCN Dementia Project Manager, said: “Hospital settings can be confusing, challenging and overwhelming for someone with dementia, so it is crucial that we get this right.

"We are calling for the principles that we set out last year to be embedded in our hospital care. The guide and film will enable staff to improve dementia care in their own setting. They bring together best practice that can be adapted for local communities.”

The guide was produced with the support of the Department of Health. Professor Alistair Burns, National Clinical Director for Dementia at the Department of Health, said: “We are pleased to have worked with the RCN to develop this important resource. While some hospitals provide high quality care for people with dementia and their carers, there are others where improvements can be made.

"I would encourage everyone who works in hospital settings to make use of this resource, and apply the principles to help deliver the best possible care.”

Surveys show that around a quarter of hospital beds are occupied by people with dementia, a figure which increases in older people and individuals with a superimposed delirium.

To access the guide, go to the publications section of the RCN website.