Hospitals warned over dementia care

Hospitals have been challenged to make a 'significant improvement' in the way they deliver care to people with dementia.

The call to lift the standard of NHS acute inpatient services was made in the National Audit of Dementia, which also recommended the introduction of basic dementia training for all hospital staff.

It said while hospitals say they have policies in place, these are not always followed and the typical encounter between staff and patients is mainly task-related and 'delivered in a largely impersonal manner'.

The National Audit of Dementia, covering England and Wales, advocated universal basic dementia training, with some ward staff receiving higher level training.

Professor Peter Crome, chairman of the national audit of dementia steering group, said the report provided 'further concrete evidence' of the need for a 'radical shake-up' of hospital care for patients with dementia.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said: 'This shocking report proves once again that we urgently need a radical shake-up of hospital care.

'Given that people with dementia occupy a quarter of hospital beds and that many leave in worse health than when they were admitted, it is unacceptable that training in dementia care is not the norm.'

Michelle Mitchell, Age UK Charity Director, commented: 'We are deeply concerned by the findings of the clinical audit which highlights the lack of training of staff to care for extremely vulnerable people.

'Age UK, through the Dignity in Care Commission, are identifying what needs to change in order to improve dignity in essential care for older people in hospitals and care homes, many of whom have dementia. These recommendations will be published in the spring of 2012.'

Copyright Press Association 2011