Dementia Report - The Experiences of Patients with Dementia and their Carers at Southampton General Hospital
Download (PDF 270.72 KB)Summary of report content
Healthwatch Southampton was approached by the Alzheimer’s Society in September 2022, to highlight a few issues relating to the experience of some patients with dementia and their carers within Southampton General Hospital (SGH). The examples included poor patient and carer experiences in hospital, which Healthwatch Southampton felt warranted further exploration to understand better the perspectives of patients, family members, unpaid carers as well as other stakeholders including hospital staff. They therefore engaged in a combination of methods to explore this further, comprising case studies, interviews, and a workshop for stakeholders including hospital staff.
How many people’s experiences does the report represent?
The initial work was based on a small sample of 13 case studies of the experiences of patients with dementia and their carers and 2 interviews with carers to explore the issues raised further. They then held a workshop with 27 invited stakeholders to discuss the issues raised. Healthwatch Southampton also visited the Enhanced Dementia Care ward (Basset Ward) for 26 patients with dementia at the Princess Anne Hospital.
Over what period was the data collected?
The initial data was collected between October 2022 & March 2023 with additional data in September 2024.
What are the key findings?
Through case studies, interviews, and workshop discussions they found that there were various challenges relating to supporting patients with dementia within a hospital setting.
What are the key recommendations/what issues do the recommendations cover?
1. Improve communication with carers regarding discharge
Providing carers with more information regarding discharge, including timings, and any follow up needed to support the patient with dementia. Southampton General Hospital should ensure that support available to carers of patients with dementia is widely publicised.
2. Improve collaboration and partnership working with community organisations
Develop existing relationships with local community organisations who have knowledge of dementia and the needs of patients with dementia. This could encourage knowledge and resource sharing and helping patients with dementia and their families to access seamless care on discharge from hospital.
3. Monitor the use of the ‘This is me’ booklet across all wards at Southampton General Hospital and continue to increase staff awareness of its existence
This is a resource that is widely available, however it needs to be consistently utilised to improve outcomes for both patients with dementia and carers. All staff should be aware of this resource and encouraged to use the ‘This is Me’ booklet to better understand the needs and characteristics of the patient.
Whether any action has been taken on the recommendations?
Southampton General Hospital staff are engaging with a newly re- established Dementia Network with an aim to improving collaboration and partnership working with community organisations.
They have also expressed a commitment to focus on improving communication with carers of dementia patients on discharge and monitoring the use of the ‘This is me’ booklet across all wards.