Alzheimer Scotland’s Dementia Nurse programme
The first Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Nurse took up post at the Royal Alexandra Hospital in Paisley in 2006. This post was funded by us for three years and is now funded by NHS Greater Glasgow and Clyde.
With your help eight more Dementia Nurses have now been appointed. Maureen Taggart has started her post with NHS Lanarkshire.
I was delighted to get the post. I can't believe that having worked at NHS Lanarkshire for 35 years I'm now in a position that I really feel makes a huge difference for people with dementia, their families and carers. It’s so exciting to be playing a part in this vital Dementia Nurse Network across Scotland and all my colleagues and I want YOU to know just how grateful we and all the individuals we support day-to-day are to you.- Maureen Taggart, Dementia Nurse Consultant, NHS Lanarkshire.
A typical day in Lanarkshire
8.45am To Emergency Receiving Unit to attend multi-disciplinary reviews and assess admissions with Cognitive Impairment and or Delirium.
10.15am Conference call across the 3 Acute Hospitals to discuss any clinical concerns and offer advice and management as appropriate.
10.45am Collect written and phone referrals from Medical, Surgical and Care of Older Adult Wards. Visit Wards to complete assessment and care management plans with staff and families and onward referrals to other services.
1pm Training session with Dementia Champion to Nursing and Associated Healthcare Professionals. Topics include: Dementia, Delirium and Depression, Proactive Management of Pain in Dementia, Communication Support, Dignity and Respect.
3.00pm Meeting with health and social care professionals and families to ensure proactive care planning to support service user and carers. Onward referrals to other services - Helpline, Support Groups, Post Diagnostic Support and Memory Clinics.
4.55pm Office for administrative duties but available to give telephone advice from the wards.
Dementia Nurse Appeal - Update
- Initial £1.5 million target now reached.
- Funding in place for 14 Dementia Nurses across Scotland.
- 10 positions now up and running.
- Recruitment in progress for the remaining 5 health boards.
- The introduction of the Dementia Champions!
- New standards of knowledge/training outlined in Scotland’s National Dementia Strategy.
Every year, we invest £500,000 of voluntary income to ensure our Dementia Nurse programme continues to grow and flourish, so please support our vital work in Scotland's hospitals by helping our Dementia Nurse Network to grow and reach full bloom.
Freephone 0808 808 3000