This report presents the findings of an evaluation study into the the effectiveness of a pilot Admiral Nurse service in the mid Norfolk area serving seven GP surgeries.
Download Norfolk Admiral Nurse Pilot Evaluation Report
Admiral Nurses are registered nurses specialising in dementia. They work with family carers and people with dementia, in the community and other settings. Working collaboratively with other professionals, Admiral Nurses seek to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their carers. They use a range of interventions that help people live positively with the condition and develop skills to improve communication and maintain relationships.
Admiral Nurses work holistically with families, addressing the needs of the family carer(s) as well as the Person with dementia (Pwd). Their aim is to empower family carers and encourage problem solving approaches. All Admiral Nurses hold a nursing qualification, are trained to meet the mental health needs of family carers and are able to provide psychological support to avoid crisis and breakdown.
The role has two main functions:
- Clinical casework with carers of people with dementia (PWD). This may be long or short term depending upon need.
- Consultancy work with other professionals.
The service covers the following 7 surgeries in South Norfolk for casework:
- Mattishall Surgery (incorporating Lenwade surgery)
- North Elmham Surgery (incorporating Swanton Morley Surgery)
- Orchard Surgery (Dereham)
- Shipdham Surgery
- Theatre Royal Surgery (Dereham)
- Walker Gregory Practice (Toftwood)
- Watton Medical Practice
There are currently 3 Admiral Nurses working in a defined area within south Norfolk clinical commissioning Group (sNccG).
The evaluation sought to answer the following key questions:
- Has the presence of Admiral Nurses impacted on diagnosis rates of dementia?
- Have Admiral Nurses improved the physical, emotional and mental well-being, of carers of people with dementia?
- Has the presence of Admiral Nurses had a positive impact on other professional’s caseloads, and improved their ability to manage the care of people with dementia and their carers more effectively?
- Have the interventions offered by Admiral Nurses reduced admissions to Acute or Mental Health hospital beds?
- Have the interventions offered by Admiral Nurses reduced/delayed admissions to Residential and Nursing care for people with dementia?
- Have the interventions offered by Admiral Nurses improved outcomes at End of life for people with dementia and their carers?
- Do Admiral Nurses offer value for money in achieving Health and social care targets and legislative requirements?