Kingston and Richmond have one of the highest life expectancies in England and, as a result, nearly half of our inpatients over 75 have dementia - which is double the national average.
We are now completely rethinking the way that we care for patients with dementia and have been working closely with patients, families, carers, staff, health and social care providers and the voluntary sector to develop the first ever Dementia Strategy for Kingston Hospital.
Patients with dementia often have complex and multiple needs and being in Hospital can be very unsettling and, for some, a frightening experience.
How Kingston Hospital are supporting our patients with dementia
Kingston Hospital has a 'Forget-Me-Not' scheme and all inpatients have a forget me not flower symbol above their beds and on the ward patient information board.
There are now more than 70 dementia champions across the organisation and include clinical and non-clinical staff. The champions all wear a lapel badge.
A Dementia and Delirium Team, which includes carers' representatives, are meeting regularly and lead on the work to improve dementia care.
Providing additional assistance at mealtimes through our volunteer dining companion scheme.
Training staff across the organisation on caring for patients with dementia.
Adapted our Friends and Family Test to identify patients with dementia and their carers. We will be using the feedback to make changes to the care and services we provide.
Our Dementia Strategy
In January 2014 the Board agreed the first ever Dementia Strategy for Kingston Hospital. The Strategy has five priorities with a programme of work underpinning them:
Early diagnosis, excellent clinical treatment and care - ensuring we diagnose dementia and delirium at the right time, in the right place and provide the right support afterwards.
Positive relationships of care - ensuring we have a culture of excellent compassionate care provided by staff who are confident in their roles to deliver this.
Involved and supported carers - ensuring a culture that always involves and engages carers as partners in care, where carers are actively welcomed and invited into this role and their changing needs are actively addressed.
Active days and calm nights - enabling patients to maintain their rituals and routines despite being in hospital and supporting patients to engage in meaningful activities to encourage social engagement, maintenance of function and recovery.
Environments of care - creating a truly dementia friendly hospital site with secure, safe, homely and comfortable social and therapeutic environments that facilitate all types of functioning.
In July of 2016 with the help of Kingston Hospital Charity, the hospital began the first phase of refurbishing one elderly care ward, Derwent to become the hospitals first dementia friendly ward. In November 2016 the refurbishment work was completed and Derwent Ward opened it's doors to patients.
The refurbishment of Blyth Ward is expected to take place during the spring and summer of 2018. Refurbishment of Kennet Ward will be undertaken during 2019.
Memory Cafe
The Memory Cafe are now back up and running every Tuesday in the activity room on Derwent Ward between 2-4pm. People living with dementia and their carers are welcome and there is support and advice available for carers from our dementia support worker from the Alzheimer’s Society and Kingston carers network.
