This report explores work that is currently being developed across the South of England in the delivery of high quality care and support for patients and families living with dementia.
Download The Full Report | The Executive Summary
In responding to the Dementia Challenge, NHS South of England established its own Dementia Challenge Fund (DCF) of £9 million – allocated across almost 70 projects – to drive local improvements and to identify and implement practical solutions to the problems faced by people living with dementia.
Projects addressed one or more of 8 key themes:
- Dementia friendly communities
- Living well at home
- Better care in hospitals
- Improving diagnosis
- End of Life care
- Reducing anti-psychotic prescribing
- Better support for carers
- Living well in care homes
This report presents the findings of an independent review of the programme, commissioned by NHS South of England.
Many of the projects are ‘work in progress’ and it would be inappropriate and premature to talk about evaluation of final outcomes. Nonetheless, it is clear that the programme has generated a great deal of activity, considerable innovation and real achievements.
The report authors aim to encourage dialogue and sharing in a field of research and practice that is engaging with one of the greatest health and social care challenges of our time. The report is designed to support practitioners, commissioners, delivery agents, patients and carers by shining a light on the best practice and innovations.