Trust calls on dementia carers to help improve support

Pennine Acute has opened a new online survey for carers and relatives who look after somebody that suffers with dementia

The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust has opened a new online survey for carers and relatives who look after somebody that suffers with dementia.

The aim of the survey is to find out about the quality of support that was provided by the Trust to family members and carers.

The survey comprises 13 questions in total, covering areas such as what documentation was offered, discharge procedures, access to patient, support for relatives/carers, and staff knowledge.

Vic Crumbleholme, Associate Director of Nursing at The Pennine Acute Hospitals NHS Trust, said: “The Trust recognises that carers and relatives play a vital role in the care of patients with dementia and is committed to improving how we work with and support carers of our patients.”

Relatives and carers can take part in the survey by visiting

www.pat.nhs.uk/dementia-carers-survey.php 

All responses will be treated confidentially and will be used to improve how the Trust works in partnership with carers.

In February 2013, the Trust launched its support of a new patient identification scheme to help support patients with dementia, called the Forget-Me-Not scheme.

Led by the Alzheimer’s Society, the scheme aims to make everyday life better for those suffering with dementia by changing the way that people think, talk and act. It also aims to get as many people as possible to register as Dementia Champions. The Government is hoping that 1 million people will register on the scheme by 2015.

At Pennine Acute Trust staff dementia champions are awarded a forget-me-not badge, to show that they know about dementia. The same forget-me-not symbol is also used to recognise organisations and communities that are dementia friendly.

Adele Doherty, Clinical Manager at the Trust, said: “Dementia can be a disorientating and isolating condition and patients can often feel lonely, confused and cut off. The Pennine Acute Trust’s dementia champions will be trained to spot the symptoms as staff have a really important role to play and can help us provide the best quality of care and support to our patients.”