The dementia picture

Our local area has a high population of elderly residents, this means that for many of the services that we offer it is essential for there to be an understanding of dementia and how to work with and accommodate the condition.

The Trust is taking a number of actions to enhance our dementia training for staff. This includes increased time spent on dementia training as part of their induction, and in addition, dementia training for clinical staff is now mandatory.

 

Specialist team

In addition to the training initiatives mentioned above, we also have a specialist Mental Health Liaison Team. The team are involved in many of our training activities and provide knowledge and guidance for the Trust which enables us to care for our patients as effectively as possible. The team supports patients with mental health related issues from their admission through to discharge, liaising with other organisations and carers to ensure that support is continued out into the community.

We recognise that this is a vital element of the care that we provide in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society and MIND.

Dementia Friendly Ward

Our West Newton ward has been designed to be dementia friendly with areas designated by colour and clocks to help with orientation and a day room and garden area to enable people to have a sense of normality during their admission.

Related services and initiatives

You will find information across this website that details the other work, services and initiatives that relates to, or has some bearing on, the care of those patients that are living with dementia. Links to that information are provided below:

• Safeguarding - The information provided here explains what you should do if you have concerns that a vulnerable adult, or child, is being abused.
• Care of the Elderly - Care of the Elderly, or geriatrics, is a branch of general medicine concerned with the clinical, preventative, remedial and social aspects of illness in old age and that older people receive the highest possible levels of care.
• The Safer Places Scheme - The Safer Places Scheme helps people with disabilities to feel safer when they are out in the community.
• Memory clinic - Access to the Memory Clinic based at Chatterton House in King's Lynn is by referral through the patient's GP surgery.

Contact details

To contact our Mental Health Liaison Team you can telephone our switchboard on 01553 613613 and ask for extension 4900.

For further information please contact Alison Webb, Lead Nurse for Older People via switchboard.