Action plan for dementia care in Doncaster

Health bosses in Doncaster have drawn up an action plan to improve dementia care following an increase in hospital deaths among patients with the condition.
Wayne Goddard, integrated lead for dementia, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning  Group and Doncaster CouncilWayne Goddard, integrated lead for dementia, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning  Group and Doncaster Council
Wayne Goddard, integrated lead for dementia, NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group and Doncaster Council

There are around 4,000 people living with dementia in the town - and chiefs have been forced to take action as the number of cases is expected to increase in coming years.

Wayne Goddard, integrated lead for dementia at NHS Doncaster Clinical Commissioning Group and Doncaster Council, said the measures would focus on prevention, diagnosis, support and end-of-life care.

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The number of hospital deaths for patients with dementia in Doncaster increased from 45 in October to December last year, to 86 from January to March this year.

Mr Goddard said prevention would be a key focus of the campaign.

He added: “Vascular dementia contributes in some way to 50 per cent of dementia so preventing vascular disease will reduce numbers.”

Ensuring community support is in place, and a commitment to making sure people with dementia have good access to palliative care and are able to die with dignity, are also priorities of the action plan.

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A pilot scheme - the Admiral Nurse service - will operate in the community too.

Three Admiral Nurses will now work in people’s homes to provide a familiar point of contact for information, advice, support, education and training for families affected by dementia.

The team will also be supported by a further five dementia advisors.

Mr Goddard said: “One of our key aims of the Doncaster Admiral Service is to enable people to live at home for as long as possible and as independently as possible.

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“We also know that the service will reduce admissions to emergency care and ultimately save local health budget money.

“The new service will be using cutting- edge technology to cut down on paperwork and ensure the maximum number of hours are put into supporting people.”

People with a dementia diagnosis and their families will be able to refer themselves to the new service.

The free-to-use service is available to everyone who is registered with a Doncaster GP. Referrals will also be made via family doctors and other health and wellbeing services.

n To find out about an Admiral Nurse in your area speak to your GP, email [email protected] or call 01302 796066.