Lead Organisation:
Continuing to champion Dementia Care Mapping
Dementia Care Mapping is an observational tool used to determine well or ill-being for Dementia patients. A Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) Corporate Safeguarding Team member, who is trained in Dementia Care Mapping works alongside the BCUHB Consultant Dementia Nurse who has recently published an article (Dementia care from behind the mask). This relates to the adaptive practices of ward staff within the older person’s mental health inpatient facilities during the COVID-19 pandemic to overcome the barriers of personal protective equipment and compensate for the absence of family. The Mapping engages with the ward staff who found the process very productive and very positive for providing immediate feedback and for taking ownership of any changes that need to be made. Staff are supported to make those changes that make a direct difference to the patient’s immediate wellbeing, along with setting longer-term goals, which is often reflected and supports more sustainable change.
Here is the link to the published article.
Focus on Falls
There has been significant intervention across the Mental Health and Learning Disabilities (MHLD) Division at Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to reduce the occurrence of falls for those individuals living with dementia. This builds on previous innovations in recent years relating to post fall intervention and the creation of the falls wall. It is acknowledged that not every fall can be prevented but there are certain activities that have been implemented to support the reduction of falls.
The Corporate Safeguarding Team are involved in supporting the weekly reviews of all falls in the inpatient mental health facilities across the Health Board. These meetings consider the factors behind each fall. The outcome and learning from each fall review is shared across the MHLD division to enable interventions to be widely considered to reduce the risk of further incidences happening especially where the situation and patient needs are similar. This initiative has been shared across BCUHB and the interventions are replicated within other specialities on a regional BCUHB footprint.
John’s campaign
John’s campaign is an attitude of mind that respects the rights and choices of the person living with dementia who needs care and values the support of their informal carer/family member. The first John’s campaign family room in Wales was opened in Cefni Hospital on Anglesey. Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) continues to be committed to the John’s Campaign initiative. During the COVID-19 pandemic there have been some understandable restrictions, which have had an impact upon the full implementation of this campaign.
