What is being done?

University Hospitals Bristol NHS Foundation Trust have appointed a project lead to deliver a Dementia Education programme offering three levels of training.

Gift aid from the WRVS enabled us to appoint a band 7 Dementia Education project lead for a period of 9months to focus on the implementation and sustainability of the joint dementia training matrix developed jointly with our neighbouring trust (North Bristol NHS Trust). A further successful bid to the WRVS has secured funds to continue this work going forward. Dementia education will as of May 2013 be incorporated under the umbrella of clinical skills and the delivery of this training will be a key requirement of the teaching and learning team within the trust.

The matrix identified 3 levels of training;

• Level 1 Dementia awareness ‘An hour to remember’
• Level 2 Competent – e-learning on the learning4health platform
• Level 3 Expert. Group discussions to share learning (optional not essential) – This was achieved in December 2012

Through the project to date we have achieved the following;

• target groups have been identified for each level
• The format & delivery of each level has been agreed ( with alternatives to suit all staff groups i.e face to face or e-learning- generic sessions and locally delivered sessions) – with commitment for Dementia education to be ‘essential’ training for all staff on induction
• 56% of the identified group ( approximately 5000 staff) has received dementia awareness training over a period of four months with target compliance set monthly to achieve a 65% compliance at the end of March 2013 we are set to achieve ( based on an annual compliance target of 90%). Measures are in place to achieve 90% compliance by the end of August 2013
• E-learning modules have been identified to fulfil level 2 competent training from the learning4health platform. Specific E-learning modules have been identified for those staff band 4 and below and staff band 5 and above, however any member of staff who wishes to exceed this minimum requirement are assisted to do so- this option has been taken by many of the dementia champions. (Staff are currently required to complete dementia awareness training prior to undertaking level 2)
• Reporting systems are still being developed to enable accurate local reporting to inform clinical teams of their compliance
• The numbers of champions have increased from 42 in July 2012 to in excess of 125 at the end of December 2013. We have utilised champions as key trainers to deliver training locally to teams and assist with dementia training on induction programmes to both clinical and non-clinical staff
• Dementia champions conferences are held twice yearly with our neighbouring trust (NBT) with each trust ‘taking it in turns’ to lead the events to continually develop our champions and support them in making effective sustained change within their clinical areas.
• Dementia awareness training has been delivered on all induction programmes since October 2012
• Dementia awareness training has been delivered on all medical induction programmes since October 2012 (presentation slightly different due to more in-depth coverage of national CQUIN)
• Dementia awareness has been delivered on the consultant away days 3 yearly programme since December 2012 (presentation slightly different due to more in-depth coverage of national CQUIN)
• Leads have been invited to talk at departmental meetings across all professions regarding the trusts dementia work and how that professional group can assist in progressing the work
• Think Delirium / dementia cards have been developed through the trusts ‘bright ideas’ scheme to support training for medical staff

What is new and different?

Dementia education was not provided previously in a systematic trust wide way, this has been facilitated through the support of the WRVS and the subsequent appointment of a dementia education lead.

The dementia education programme has assisted us to make sustained positive change to the experience of patients through awareness and increased knowledge of all staff groups.

The dementia champion’s conferences facilitate the development of ‘key’ staff which assists us in delivering the South West standards across the trust, specifically use of the ‘This is me’, pain assessment using the ‘Abbey’ pain assessment tool, and the visual identification system (forget me not).

What difference does this seem to be making?

The education programme is gradually changing culture so that dementia is seen as everybody’s business.

Comments from training include:

“brilliant and informative definitely a lot I can take back into clinical practice”

“very good session would recommend that everyone attends”

“does not relate directly to my practice but has raised my awareness of the issues for people with dementia”

“this is great, what more can we do to improve care?”

As a result of the sessions staff have come forward with bright ideas to improve care for people with dementia and these ideas have / are being pursued