What is being done?

The Dementia ward champion role has been developed at Musgrove Park Hospital, part of Taunton and Somerset NHS Foundation Trust. Download the role definition and training requirements

What is new and different?

All areas/departments where staff work with patients who have dementia identify and support Dementia Champions. All staff that care for patients with dementia are appropriately trained and therefore it is essential that protected time is given to maintain a knowledge base and to fulfil the duties of the role; this should be negotiated with individual managers as each area will require different demands on their time.

What difference this seems to be making

The Dementia Champions provide support within the organisation by:

• Providing a single point of contact for the ward team caring for patients with dementia, to cascade information from the Dementia Working Group to their own clinical area.
• Providing an essential link between practice areas across the Trust. Supporting staff in ensuring that patients with dementia are the focus for consideration even when the primary intervention is with the carers.
• Supporting the Trust to execute its responsibilities to safeguard patients with dementia.
• Alerting the Named Nurse and/or Ward Sister/Manager to any serious or significant incident or concern relating to the welfare of a patient with dementia.
• Informing the Named Nurse and/or Ward Sister/Manager of any gaps identified within the services in their area of work relating to caring for patients with dementia.
• Supporting the dementia clinical audits and implementing actions from the findings.