This one-page briefing published by the East of England Strategic Clinical Network provides practical top tips for achieving the dementia diagnosis ambition.
Download Top tips for achieving the dementia diagnosis ambition
Diagnosis
- Coding clean up/harmonisation of practice records
- Dementia enhanced services (2013/14 and 2014/15)
- Letter from Memory Clinic or Community Mental Health Provider to include the diagnosis and suggested read code
Effective Pathways
- Review MAS clinics, consider reasons for bottle necks and alternative models
- Community provider to screen for dementia
- Joint working with the county council to provide support for patients and their carers’
Medication
- Screen practice registers for patients receiving Acetylcholinesterase inhibitors and low dose anti-psychotic medications
Engage
- Targeted support to practices with a high demographic of older patients
- Engage practices with a low diagnosis rate to understand the reasons behind it
- Engage with patients and carers for their views
New Ideas
- Consider new and innovative ways of working
Training
- Training for GPs and specialist nurses to make the diagnosis of dementia
- Screen care home residents for dementia and trained nurses to make the diagnosis
Information
- Cross reference patients on the MAS and CMHT lists with practice register
- Cross reference patients on the hospital CQUIN and the practice register
Awareness
- Awareness raising sessions for the whole GP practice, care homes and other services and become Dementia Friends.
- Awareness raising in the community of best practice examples both within the CCG, regionally and nationally
