Dementia is a national priority for the Scottish Government this means we are working on a range of programmes to improve care for people with dementia and their cares.
HEAT target
From April 2008 each NHS Board is to deliver agreed improvements in the early diagnosis and management of patients with a dementia by March 2011. Each NHS Board will initially respond to a target increase of 33%.
Standards for Integrated Care Pathways for dementia
Published December 2007. Sets the standard for care; underlining the need for partner system developments; incorporating an accreditation process; and support. First stage accreditation by end 2008. In addition to the generic standards developed for integrated care pathways, several dementia specific standards have been developed. These include:
- Recording of treatment for cognitive impairment;
- Ensuring service users who develop behavioural or psychological dementia symptoms receive an intervention matched to their needs; and
- That advance care planning is in place in relation to end of life care.
Dementia friendly premises
In conjunction with Health Facilities Scotland, the Dementia Services Development Centre and Fair for All, an "Initial Survey Checklist" has been developed and published as well as guidance for new primary care premises on non stigmatising design considerations to meet the needs of those with dementia.
Training for a range of professionals underway within each NHS Board area to become accredited dementia friendly design auditors for their own areas using a specially designed audit tool.
Dementia improvement pilot
Dementia improvement programme pilot in Forth Valley through the Dementia Services Development Centre has been funded, focussing on improvement of care for people with dementia with the aim of reducing unnecessary admissions to care homes and hospitals. A report of the programme has been published (April 2008).
Post Diagnostic support
Working with Alzheimer Scotland and the Dementia Services Development Centre and linked to findings reported from the Forth Valley/DSDC initiative, £600k will be invested over 3 years on an initiative/pilots for structured intervention, support, and information following first diagnosis.
Dementia Forum
The Dementia Forum provides ongoing input and advice to the Scottish Government on all parts of the dementia agenda. The forum is made up of people from a wide range of backgrounds and professions.
Working with Older People in Scotland - A Framework for Mental Health Nurses
Published (through NHS Education for Scotland) a framework which outlines the specific knowledge, skills and values mental health nurses require to work with older people's mental health services. The Framework consists of six main themes - respect, rights and choice; communication; relationships; health and wellbeing; dementia; and end of life care.
Mental Health Collaborative
Established a Mental Health Collaborative to drive and support the delivery of the HEAT targets objectives through national, regional and local approaches and systems. Links established with the Long Term Conditions Collaborative Programme.Secured £9 million to 2011 on attention to mental health HEAT Targets, including dementia.
Information
NHS Health Scotland has distributed 80,000 copies of Coping with Dementia - a Handbook for Carers (free) to:
- Health Promotion Departments;
- Dementia Services Development Centre;
- Alzheimer Scotland; and
- Dementia ICP Co-ordinators.
Elderflowers
Investing £30k over 3 years to support Elderflowers initiative helping the elderly with dementia in hospital and other care settings. The Elderflowers programme engages and stimulates people with dementia to reach the person behind the illness.
Public Awareness raising and information sharing
Coming scoping study will inform future decisions on the need for and design of a national awareness raising and information campaign on dementia.
Chief Scientist Office (CSO) initiative
Supporting the Scottish Clinical Research Network which includes cancer, stroke and diabetes network in establishing and funding the infrastructure for a Dementia Research Network to support NHS clinicians and clinical Academics with their current research and to develop this as a key priority area for further research by pulling together a range of collaborating centres.
Data collection
Ensuring co-ordination of approach and links to the relevant HEAT targets; Community prescribing for dementia drugs; hospital dementia admissions; national estimates of GP dementia consultations. With NHS Quality Improvement Scotland are working on a practice development/good practice database.
Internationally
Our partners at the Dementia Services Development Centre continue to observe, learn and share lessons learned from international practice. They contribute to information exchange promoting Scotland's approaches. An international Conference is planned for September 2008 with speakers from four continents, providing an opportunity to showcase Scotland's dementia initiatives.
Palliative (end of life) care
Among a range of other initiatives our partners Alzheimer Scotland will be advancing their Beyond Barriers campaign on palliative care for people with dementia. This will roll out across Scotland this year. Following three training sets, the aim is to work with 50 care homes, train 100 care staff as dementia champions and involve a similar number of supporting relatives/carers.