Since it was formed in 2010 the Regional Expert Reference Group for Dementia Care in Hospital has undertaken work on the following priorities:
- supporting and monitoring the implementation of the South West Hospital Standards
- supported a peer review focussing on the eight standards for dementia care in hospital, taking stock of progress, identifying positive practice and sharing expertise in order to address challenges and areas for improvement.
- developing a route map for the individual journey – as a guide to ensure that a person with dementia receives the right assessments, treatment and care at all stages regardless of whether they are in hospital for planned care or as an emergency and whatever the reason they are in hospital
- working with the End of Life Care programme, to review and improve standards in end of life care for people with dementia
- producing an awareness resource pack which provides accessible information in the format that is suitable, appropriate and can be tailored for people living with dementia.
- commissioning a project to improve volunteering in hospitals
- producing a Compendium of positive practice, which brings together a selection of some of the many positive developments and practices initiated to improve the quality of dementia care in hospitals across the South West of England.
- hosted regional conferences in 2012, 2011 and 2010 focussing on service improvement and positive practice.
The work to improve care for people with dementia while in hospital is led by the Regional Expert Reference Group for Dementia Care in Hospital, chaired by Alison Moon, regional champion for dementia care in hospitals.