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Join Dr. Etheldreda Kong's panel on October 25, 2013, as we discuss groundbreaking initiatives aimed at improving dementia care in Brent. Our enhanced care pathway focuses on early diagnosis, community support for carers, and improving life quality for dementia patients. Key features include reducing waiting times, increasing trained staff, and offering a range of community services such as a dedicated Dementia Café. This program seeks to raise awareness among healthcare professionals, facilitate timely diagnosis, and ensure patients can remain at home while receiving the necessary care.
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Challenging Dementia in Brent Dr Etheldreda KongPanel: Improving early diagnosis 25th October 2013
Enhanced pathway for dementia patients • Its aim is to build on existing health services to improve the quality of care and support that patients with dementia and their carers receive. Specifically, the enhanced pathway will provide: • early diagnosis • support and advice for carers of people with dementia in the community • services in the community following diagnosis to improve the quality of life
Early diagnosis • By redesigning our Memory Service we will: • reduce waiting times • increase staff numbers • provide care in the most appropriate setting (e.g. six month follow-up in primary care) • be ready for the forecast increase in referrals due to aging population and national scheme to identify patients at risk
Early support and advice for carers of people with dementia • Will be provided by: • recruitment of four additional Primary Care Dementia Nurses • training GPs to increased their knowledge and awareness • expansion of psychiatric liaison service to offer support in hospital • signposting to short breaks and respite • peer support groups
Services in the community following diagnosis to improve the quality of life • Will include: • creation of a Community Dementia Café, which will provide a range of therapies and support programmes • introduction of a Performance Bond with GP Practices to shift six month follow-up to primary care • support for patients (and their carers) to remain at home and avoid admissions to hospitals, residential and nursing homes
Summary • This enhanced care pathway will: • raise awareness and understanding of dementia across all healthcare professionals • provide early diagnosis and support • improve the quality of life for patients with dementia and their carers; and • reduce inappropriate prescribing of antipsychotic drugs