Southend Hospital Memory Services Dr. Ioannis Liakas MSc, FRCP Consultant Physician and Geriatrician Clinical Lead th 6 National Memory Servicers Forum September 2015
Southend Hospital Established
in 1932 Has Foundation Trust status Serves a population of 350,000 On of the very few acute Trusts nationwide to provide “Memory Services”
Memory Services Southend Hospital
Memory Clinics Staff Education on Dementia (provided by a specialist nurse) CQUIN for Dementia (staff appointed exclusively) Ward Dementia champions DIST (Dementia Intensive Support Team), 6 staff, supporting acutely admitted patients with known dementia Befriender Service (volunteers)
Memory Clinics Southend Hospital Currently
984 patients attending 3 consultant led clinics/ week Location: Day Hospital setting Staff: 3 consultants, physio/ OT, nurse, admin, psychology liaison (currently fortnightly, but will soon become weekly), two memory nurse specialists Dementia Support Worker
Memory Clinics Southend Hospital Advantages
of memory services at an acute setting: Imaging, blood tests, ECGs, OT/ Physio/ Rehab assessment Recently participation in research trials Trust recently acquired PET scan, very helpful imaging technique in order to establish Alzheimer’s Dementia
Post-diagnostic support in dementia: The role of the Dementia Support Worker Alison Ingleby Dementia Support Worker
Who funds us • • • • • •
Funded since 2012 by Southend Borough Council Increased support workers to 3 to cover 12 clinics per month Aug 2012 – Jan 2015 seen 2000 patients and carers Population of Southend 173,658 (2011 Census) Over 20,000 people diagnosed in Essex * 2000 diagnosed in Southend *
*2013 figures Alzheimer’s Society
Our services • Provide non-clinical information, support and advice. • Help people to access the range of support available to patients and carers within the Society and other external health and support organisations. • Support the patient at any stage to enable them to make informed choices about their care. • Provide family members with a forum where they can discuss their concerns in confidence. • Signpost and support to access other services – social services, dementia support community nurses and crisis teams.
Support offered • At the time of diagnosis an offer to meet a support worker in clinic • At any future appointment the patient is also offered support • Home visit offered at a time convenient to the patient and family invited • Support for 6 weeks including follow-up telephone calls or a home visit • Support from community dementia support worker.
Why is support needed at diagnosis? • Receiving a diagnosis can be devastating • Help to plan for the future – prepare legal documents & apply for benefits • Help to talk to family • Opportunity to plan for future care needs • Avoidance of crisis and emergency admissions.
Why is support needed at diagnosis? Comments from a carer: I am surviving on practically no sleep, my husband is wandering around all night switching lights on and off, putting different clothing on and off and doing all sorts of peculiar things. I feel as if I am completely on my own. I find it very difficult to ask for help.
Support in the future – for patient and carer • Support as the condition progresses • How to deal with changing physical health, behaviour, cognitive function • Help for the family to adapt and understand changes • Introduce discussion about respite • Care & financial assessments, respite and long term care options • Avoidance of crisis and emergency admissions, recognising a potential 999 situation.
Support for the carer • When it is time to make decisions • Building confidence to make decisions, empower them to make decisions • Introducing respite and signposting to relevant agencies for an appropriate package • Care – arranging support and challenging services when it doesn’t work for the client • Being there to support to the end and continued support for the carer.
Local Services for people living with dementia and their carers • Dedicated Support Workers - provide details of all services and support available. • Advocates - provide advice and information about rights, organise care plans, deal with direct payments, administration support, support with completion of forms such as the Blue Badge and attendance allowance.
• Carers Information Programme - (CrISP) five two and a half hour sessions covering dementia, support and care, support services available and planning for the future. • Peer Support - An opportunity to talk in a confidential and safe environment. • Activity groups.
What the patients and carers say •
After my husband’s diagnosis I was a bit taken aback with the fact he had Alzheimer’s although I had been aware for sometime there was something going on with him. I was extremely happy for the support given immediately after….it helped me feel calmer about it all.
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We found the support service excellent, helpful and understanding
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Meeting other carers, knowing someone is there if needed, it helped a great deal & I feel I have a lot of support. I don’t know what I would have done without this service
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Knowing someone is at the end of the phone
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I feel a lot happier knowing there will always be someone there I can talk to if I need to.
Our Services in Southend • • • • • • •
Dementia Support Advocacy Singing for the Brain® Dementia Cafés Peer Support Groups Activity Groups Memory Service