South Devon Healthcare Foundation Trust
South Devon Healthcare was established in 1991 and became one of the first NHS Foundation Trusts in 2007. The Trust runs Torbay Hospital, a medium sized acute hospital which serves a resident population of approaching 300,000 people. This figure increases by as many as 100,000 visitors at any one time during the summer holiday season. The Trust catchment area covers 300 square miles; from South Dartmoor to the length of the coastline which stretches from Dawlish, at the mouth of the River Exe, past the Teign and Dart estuaries and up to Dartmouth.
- Updated:
- 13 March 2014
- Location:
- South West
- Sectors:
- Hospitals and Hospital Trusts
1. Action Plan
1) The National Dementia Declaration lists seven outcomes that the DAA are seeking to achieve for people with dementia and their carers. How would you describe your organisation’s role in delivering better outcomes for people with dementia and their carers?-
To work closely with colleagues in partner organisations towards achieving the Dementia Strategy. In doing this we have developed a Dementia Strategy Steering Group which has clinical, carer and community healthcare involvement.
- We have adopted the South West Dementia Standards for Hospitals and have undertaken work to improve the care pathway for people with dementia
- We have a Dementia Nurse Specialist who has undertaken training in Dementia Care Mapping. She has also developed a network of dementia champions across the acute Trust and the community hospitals. The champions are facilitated in their role by a local resource folder and through a range of workshop, topics which include Person Centred Care; Eating; Falls; Understanding behavior; Palliative Care.
- Additionally, we have developed a Partnership Course in conjunction with the University of Plymouth which staff can access locally and which contributes to the degree pathway.
- We are developing the volunteer network across the hospital
- Our League of Friends have generously donated memory and reminiscence equipment
- We have participated in 2 peer review processes and have been able to share and develop ideas with partner organisations. Without doubt, the opportunity to discuss blocks and progress with colleagues is a motivational process.
2) What are the challenges to delivering these outcomes from the perspective of your organisation?
- Making improvements at pace and scale given the activity levels
- Sustaining improvements given the competing priorities
- Improvements to the environment
2. Actions
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To continue to work to the SW Hospital Standards
To continue to work to the SW Hospital Standards
- Status:
-
To improve how we recognize, assess, investigate and refer patients with cognitive problems
To improve how we recognize, assess, investigate and refer patients with cognitive problems
- Status:
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A more positive experience of an acute hospital admission
To clarify the environmental improvements which will help towards a more positive experience of an acute hospital admission
- Status:
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Develop our training strategy for all staff groups
To further develop our training strategy for all staff groups, not just those in the clinical setting
- Status:
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To undertake involvement work with carers and families of people with dementia
To undertake involvement work with carers and families of people with dementia; improving assessment and discharge planning
- Status:
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Finding ways of preventing acute admission where possible eg rapid access clinics
To work with our community partners in finding ways of preventing acute admission where possible eg rapid access clinics.
- Status: