Services for people with dementia provided by Berkshire Healthcare NHS

Foundation Trust

Sally Cairns

Joint Service Manager

Memory Service

• Provides a specialist assessment for people of any age concerned about possible memory loss

• Prescription of medication if appropriate• Provides other therapeutic services

Why come to Memory Clinic?

• Timely and accurate diagnosis important for patients and carers:

• Facilitates better understanding of condition• Improved access to medication, information and

support services.• Allows preparation for future care planning.

What happens at Memory Clinic

• Seen at Prospect Park Hospital or at home• Usually 2 professionals – doctor and nurse• Preferably seen with a partner, family member or

friend• Cognitive tests used• Daily living skills assessed • May give diagnosis, may refer for further tests• Plan of care developed in agreement with

individual

Care plans

• Personal to each individual

Could include:• Medication• Referral to Cognitive Stimulation Therapy• Link to the Dementia Care Advisor• Social Services• Understanding Dementia Course (for carers)• Discussion about research• Information given – written or links to websites.

Reviews

If on medication:• Review after 4-5 months•By GP 6 months later•Memory Clinic review 12 months later

If not on medication:•Could be discharged•Reviews at 6 or 12 months.

Understanding Dementia Course

• 6 week course

Covers:

Information about the illness and medication

Legal and financial aspects

Long term planning

Living well with dementia

Managing new behaviours

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy

• 14 week course for those with mild and moderate dementia

• Range of activities that help stimulate cognition• Proven to improve or at least reduce

deterioration in cognitive levels

Cognitive Stimulation Therapy for carers – one–off session.

Community Mental Health Team for Older People (CMHT – E)

Multi Disciplinary Team team comprising:•Doctors•Nurses•Social workers•Support workers•Occupational Therapist•Speech & Language Therapy•Psychology

Crisis/Home Treatment Team

• Dedicated specialist Older Peoples team• Works 7 days/week, 365 days/year• 9am -7pm Mon- Fri• 9am – 5pm weekends and Bank Holidays• Offer intensive support to keep people at home• Act as gatekeepers for in-patient beds• Facilitate early discharge from the ward

Younger People with Dementia

• Looking to develop specific Cognitive Stimulation Therapy and Understanding Dementia courses

• Excellent links with West of Berks Young People With Dementia charity

• Links with specialist Dementia Care Adviser

Older Peoples Mental Health Liaison Team

• Based at Royal Berkshire Hospital• Multi Disciplinary Team• Referrals come from all wards• Assess patients• Devise care plan• Work with Royal Berkshire Hospital (RBH) staff to

ensure mental and physical health needs are being met.

• Provide training for RBH staff

Care Home In-reach Team

• New team just starting work• Funded under the Prime Minister’s Dementia

Challenge fund this year and then by CCGs• Team of 7 nurses (Registered Mental Health

Nurses and Registered General Nurses)• To work pro-actively in care homes to support

staff to deliver excellent care to people with dementia

• Working across the West of Berkshire