Barbara is backing Alzheimer’s Society’s ‘Fix Dementia Care’ campaign which calls for improvements to dementia care in hospitals.

Alzheimer’s Society has been looking at the quality of the hospital care that dementia patients receive. The charity sent Freedom of Information requests asking hospital Trusts for information on a number of areas of care. They found that levels of care for people with dementia were very variable across the country. The figures for Salford Royal NHS Trust were good compared to the overall national averages.

Alzheimer’s Society is calling for the annual publication of dementia statements by hospital Trusts, to show the quality of dementia care that is being provided. They also want to see this information used to identify and take action in those hospitals where dementia care is inadequate. The charity is calling for the Care Quality Commission to appoint a specialist dementia adviser to improve how dementia services in hospitals are regulated.

Barbara said:

“I am pleased to support this campaign, along with Dementia Ambassador Kevin Whately. Dementia is one of the greatest care challenges facing our country. The campaign is examining data on the quality of care for dementia patients in hospital and it aims to improve the care that patients with dementia receive while they are in hospital.”

“In Salford around 2,400 people are living with dementia and that number is set to rise in the next five years. I was glad to see that the figures for care at Salford Royal were good compared to the overall national averages.  It was also reassuring that Salford had this data available but concerning that other hospital Trusts, such as the Royal Bolton, did not respond with their data. If hospitals do not supply this data there is a worry that they are not tracking and monitoring these issues.”

“I fully support Alzheimer’s Society in trying to improve hospital care for patients with dementia. I hope Health Ministers will act now to make sure that people with dementia are receiving the care and support they need in hospital.”