A specialist Dementia Nurse is an innovative and creative solution to the problems faced by people with dementia and their carers when confronted with a spell in hospital. It meets the needs of the patient, the carer and hospital staff by relieving some of the burdens faced by staff whilst at the same time increasing their capacity to understand and cope with dementia in the future. The role of the Dementia Nurse includes • Playing a lead role in the development and delivery of an individually focused service to people with dementia in hospital, drawing upon a sound repertoire of knowledge and skills based on up-to-date developments in the field. • Providing independent expert nursing advice, training and support to nurses, carers and agencies that provide services to people with dementia, increasing the skills and confidence of healthcare workers. • Leading nursing research, circulating results and facilitating change by encouraging health care workers to reflect critically upon their day-to-day practice. • Evaluating the service against frameworks across national and international networks Need for Dementia Nurses There are between 58,000 and 65,000 people with dementia in Scotland - a figure that looks set to increase by 75% by 2031. Being in hospital can be a frightening experience, even if we feel that we know what is happening. People with dementia experience abandonment, find themselves in alien surroundings, are often in pain and separated from the familiar faces of those who normally care for them. In addition to having dementia, a high proportion of older people will have other health problems that can lead to hospitalisation. Hospital staff face the challenge of caring for people with dementia every day, without training or the ability to deal with the complex issues that arise. This reduces the quality of care for patients with dementia and their carers. It is vital that patients with a diagnosis of dementia who have been admitted to an acute ward are assessed and cared for by professionals who understand and can meet their specific needs – the same applies to patients who have not been diagnosed but who may display signs of dementia. Benefits of the Dementia Nurse • Improved quality of care for people with dementia in hospital • Innovative contribution made to service development and multidisciplinary staff training • Raised awareness, both of the illness and of Alzheimer Scotland’s work • Greater liaison between GP and community teams and other health professionals • More referrals to community teams • Increased support for carers through follow up in the community • Seamless care between hospitals and the community Specific Outcomes – the Dementia Nurse will • Work with circa 250 patients during each year. • Assist with CARENAP assessments, mini mental state examinations, liaising with all relevant departments and assisting with dementia diagnosis. • Formulate a care package for individuals when in hospital and giving information to patients and carers to enable them to make important decisions. • Provide training, information and support on a case-by-case basis for ward staff. • Disseminate a Dementia Resource pack where necessary for people with dementia, carers and staff providing information about dementia, differential diagnosis, legal aspects and local services. • Undertake clinical risk assessments in wards to influence patient care, to enable patients to mobilise safely – promoting and maintaining independence and freedom without unduly increasing risks. It costs £50,000 per annum for a Dementia Nurse - to meet the 3 year target of fundraised income the total cost of the project is £150,000.