A second three year National Dementia Strategy to improve standards of care for people with dementia has been launched.
As part of the strategy an action plan will be put in place to ensure people with dementia are treated with dignity and respect during all hospital stays. The hospital action plan wil prevent people with dementia going into hospital unnecessarily, ensure they get better care when in hospital and are helped to get home as quickly as possible once they are ready to leave.
The strategy will also build upon the achievements of the first strategy, including 300+ Dementia Champions, Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurses in health boards across Scotland, the Promoting Excellence knowledge and skills framework for all health and social care staff and the Standards of Care for Dementia in Scotland.
In welcoming the new plan Falkirk West MSP Michael Matheson said;
“the second three year National Dementia Strategy, will further improve diagnosis rates, transform the quality of post-diagnostic support and take forward a national action plan on improving care for people with dementia in hospitals.
“There has been huge progress since the Scottish Government made dementia a national priority in 2007. Currently 64% of Scots are getting a diagnosis, significantly better than other parts of the UK, and as from 1st April this year everyone diagnosed this year will be entitled to a named support worker to help them and their families understand the illness, manage its symptoms and plan for future care.
“I know that those who suffer from dementia and their families in the Falkirk area will welcome this further commitment from the Scottish Government. However there is still more to do, including improving care in general hospitals. The Scottish Government has committed to supporting health boards, the Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse Consultants and the 300 plus Dementia Champions now trained to ensure that, when admission to acute general hospital is unavoidable, people with dementia receive the dignity, respect and care they’re entitled to”.
