Commenting on the National Dementia Audit report published by the Royal College of Psychiatrists today, Dr Kevin Stewart, Clinical Director, Clinical Effectiveness and Evaluation Unit (CEEU) said:
I welcome the findings of the National Dementia Audit report, which shows improvement in care for patients with dementia since the report in 2011.
Today’s report identifies the good practice that is happening such as, more champions for dementia at directorate and ward level. However, dementia is complex and in order to ensure high quality of care for all patients with dementia, this good practice needs to be present in every hospital.
The audit found that only half of hospitals have policy in place to assess for delirium. I would urge all hospitals treating patients with dementia to have and implement such a policy because delirium can affect a patient’s physical health needs and their length of stay in hospital.
Access the report on the Royal College of Psychiatrists' website.
For further information, please contact Hannah Bristow, Clinical Standards communications officer, on +44 (0)20 3075 1447 / 07584 303 784 or email Hannah.Bristow@rcplondon.ac.uk