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Dementia care in hospitals in England and Wales are safe but lack other key attributes such as personalised care and effective communication with patients and families, a report compiled after auditing services in 210 hospitals has said.  The report calls on hospitals to appoint a “dementia champion” to help improve patient care.

The audit conducted by the Royal College of Psychiatrists' has concluded that many staff members lack the requisite skills to provide adequate service to dementia sufferers following responses from over 2,000 staff members across 145 wards in 55 hospitals.  Over two thirds of staff members have responded saying they have not been provided with adequate training – 54% said they have not received any training to tackle aggressive behaviour while 50% said they have received no communication training to interact effectively with patients.

The report goes on to say: “On most hospital wards there is little evidence of a person-centred approach or 'culture', or that the care received by patients is generally person-centred."  It points out that patients suffering from dementia tend to do worse after being admitted to hospital than other patients.  

However, Professor Peter Crome, who led the review expressed hope that the audit would help improve patient care in dementia but reminded that dementia care needs a radical shake-up.  The government has welcomed the report and Care Services Minister Paul Burstow said the report was a “must read” for hospital directors.  

“The result of this audit should be a must read for every medical and nursing director,” the Minister said.  “It is time for the NHS to put in place the training and support that improves the care and treatment of people with dementia and saves money too."

However, the opposition Labour party accused the government for failing to make dementia care a priority and Liz Kendall, the Shadow Care Minister also pointed out that dementia care in the local level was taking a massive hit due to government spending cuts.