Dementia

This work stream focuses upon patients with dementia and intercurrent physical illness. It looks at appropriate interventions to reduce avoidable unplanned admissions and re-admissions and considers the need to take account of the impact on informal carers, social and community health care providers. In Bristol and South Gloucestershire, the incidence of dementia diagnoses is set to rise significantly over the next 20 years. Success in this area is key to a long term admissions reduction strategy.

• Work stream lead: Sarah Purdy
• Other HIT members: Sarah Cullum, Melanie Chalder

Objectives

• To increase knowledge about triggers and causes of admission leading to development, piloting and evaluation of interventions across health, social care and neighbourhood development
• To improve the appropriateness of admissions for people with dementia and intercurrent illness
• To reduce the length of stay in bedded settings for people with dementia and intercurrent illness
• To reduce re-admissions for people with dementia and intercurrent illness

Current projects

Managing uncertainty to reduce emergency bed days in older patients. (Submitted to the National Institute for Health Research, Programme Development Grant). Led by Sarah Purdy.