This document discusses dementia care and the improvements made at one hospital. It summarizes that: the number of people with dementia is increasing significantly; many hospital patients have dementia but it often goes unrecognized; and the hospital implemented several initiatives to improve dementia care, including a specialized dementia unit, training, and activities to stimulate patients. These changes have led to reductions in falls, pressure ulcers, length of stay, and complaints, as well as improved staff satisfaction and outcomes for patients.

1. Dementia
Putting the patient at the
centre of care
Mel Pickup
Chief Executive

2. Mapping the Dementia Gap, a study produced by Tesco, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland –
Numbers of people with dementia in 2010 and 2021 in local health areas and Strategic Health Authority areas
55%
40%
Increase
over
11 yrs
Mapping the Dementia Gap, a study produced by Tesco, Alzheimer’s Society and Alzheimer’s Scotland –
Numbers of people with dementia in 2010 and 2021 in local health areas and Strategic Health Authority areas
Estimated number of people with dementia in
Warrington and Halton & St Helens
2

3. Dementia awareness
- Incidence in Acute hospitals
• People 65+ with dementia occupyPeople 65+ with dementia occupy 25-30% of total25-30% of total
hospital bedshospital beds
• 42% of individuals over 70 with unplanned42% of individuals over 70 with unplanned
admissionsadmissions to an acute hospital have dementia risingto an acute hospital have dementia rising
toto 48%48% over age 80over age 80
• Main reasons for admission where dementia is aMain reasons for admission where dementia is a
secondary diagnosis aresecondary diagnosis are falls, fractured hip, UTI,falls, fractured hip, UTI,
chest infection, strokechest infection, stroke
33

4. It all started with one of these!

5. Closely followed by some of
these…

6. Our Dementia Care
improvement journey
October 2012 Kings Fund Bid
opportunity
The opening of the
Forget Me Not Unit
May 2014
Governors ward
observation visits to
unit supported need
for change 2011/12
Clinical Lead for Dementia
2010
Living Well with
Dementia: A
national strategy
Strengthened role of
Specialist Nurse for
Older people 2010
2009 - Then
2015 - Now
NICE Guidelines (CG103)
Delirium (trust developed
care bundles) 2010
NICE Quality Standard (QS1)
June 2010
Separated stroke unit from
elderly care ward 2010
Successful bid! Kings Fund
allocation of £1.05M July 2013
Forget Me Not
Campaign March
2013
Dementia Conference
May 2014

7. An opportunity to bid for national
funding
Kings Fund bid opportunity – successful award of £1.05M
•hi-tech sensory rooms using lighting and sound to stimulate those with
dementia;
•large print photos of local scenes from years gone by to help people with
dementia feel connected to their past;
•specially adapted outside space to prevent patients from wandering, by
helping them keep busy and active with activities such as gardening;
•technology such as day/night clocks and controllable mood lighting to
emulate day and night, which help people with dementia stay independent
and well-cared for; or
•simple changes such as the use of calming colours, non-reflective surfaces,
large-print signs and the creation of zones to help residents know where
they are and find their way back to their room.

8. We’ve gone from this…

9. To this….

10. And this….

11. To this….
Our Forget Me Not garden has
become an integral part of the
unit.

12. It’s not just about the ward – it’s a catalyst for
wide-spread change
• Trust wide leadership (executive sponsorship)
• Clinical lead for dementia
• Forget-Me-Not Group
• Cognition screening on admission
• Dementia friendly environments
• Dementia pathway
• Cognitive care bundle
• Trust participation in National Audit of Dementia
• Carer survey
• Dementia Alliance partnership
• Joint working across organisations
• Dementia specialist team, including activities co-ordinator.
1212

13. Socialising and activities on ward
← From rock choirs
←To ukulele bands
To recreating the seaside on the
ward to evoke memories →

14. We’ve had opportunities to share
best practice
“The Warrington Forget
Me Not unit is the finest
acute hospital dementia
care environment I’ve
seen.”
Jeremy Hunt MP
Secretary of State for Health

15. Patient feedback

16. Improved outcome data
• Falls – sustained reduction in falls 4% reduction in year, with
30% reduction since campaigns commenced
• Pressure ulcers – 42% reduction in year
• Length of stay reduction in Forget Me Not Unit – 40%
• Achieving National CQUIN target – between 90 – 100%
• Reduction in the need for 1:1 carers for patients with
challenging behaviour
• Reduction in complaints on unit – only one since unit
opened
• Staff satisfaction – 0% turnover in year, and reduced sickness

17. Next steps
• We’re spreading dementia friends training to local
schools
• Development of training needs analysis for specific
professions
• Dementia champions active in all areas (including a
fantastic estates dementia champion)
• Utilising patients and carers as trainers
• Development of Partners in Care contract in line
with DH recommendations.

19. Questions?
Thank you for listening…
If you would like to see our work in action please
contact us and come and visit -
ForgetMeNot@whh.nhs.uk