New nursing team supports patients with dementia

An NHS trust has appointed specialist nurses to support patients with dementia or delirium.

The Dementia and Delirium Clinical Nurse Specialist Team, at The Royal Wolverhampton NHS Trust, will support wards and departments, helping to ensure high-quality care for patients.

Delirium is a change in a person's mental state that happens suddenly over one to two days. It is not the same as dementia, but they can look similar to someone who does not know the person well.

"Our work will centre on person-centred, holistic care planning and driving improvements aligned with national initiatives," clinical nurse specialist Jodie O'Hagan said.

Along with O'Hagan, the new team includes fellow specialist Sophie Dallaway, who are both supported by Krystie Isaac, matron for older adult medicine, as well as Dr Sureena Janagal and Dr Natalie McNeela, consultants in older adult medicine.

Delerium can look different from one person to the next, with some patients becoming agitated or distressed while others might be drowsy or withdrawn.

This is where the team comes in, with O'Hagan saying members will provide expert guidance on the care of people living with dementia and/or delirium, while also supporting carers and families from pre-diagnosis through to bereavement.

"The team is working collaboratively with other teams across the trust to identify current gaps in services and improve overall care standards," she added.

Dallaway explained: "We will support dementia and delirium care through early identification, assessment, ongoing support, and safe, effective discharge planning.

"We are also offering training sessions on dementia and delirium to enhance staff knowledge, skills, and confidence in line with best practice.

"The team will support the development of dementia champions across the trust."

Dementia poses a major and escalating challenge to the NHS.

The NHS trust revealed that in 2024, 483,000 people aged 65 and over in England had been given a formal diagnosis, with around 900,000 people affected overall, including an estimated 3,100 in Wolverhampton.

Debra Hickman, the trust's chief nursing officer, said: "Dementia's impact on acute care is profound. A quarter of our inpatients have and are living with dementia.

"Establishing [the team] offers a focused, cost-effective response.

"It enables earlier identification, specialist intervention, improved staff and carer support, and more co-ordinated discharge planning, ultimately enhancing outcomes, reducing avoidable admissions, and supporting the trust's commitment to safe, effective, and sustainable care for a highly vulnerable population."

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