The study will be hosted by the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, where initial research will take place.

David Bale david.bale2@archant.co.uk
Monday, July 22, 2013
7:54 AM

UEA researchers have been awarded a £2m programme grant from the National Institute of Health Research to examine ways to improve hospital care for people with dementia.

One quarter of acute NHS hospital beds are occupied by people with dementia, but inconsistent standards of care, poor physical and mental health management and overuse of sedatives have been highlighted in national reports.

The five-year programme will involve a UK and international team of researchers with the Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK as partners. It will be the first dementia-specific study combining elements of best care with a system for putting them into practice.

Programme leader Dr Chris Fox, from UEA’s Norwich Medical School, said: “An injury such as a fractured hip often leads to acute confusion known as delirium and other complications.

“On average, people with a hip fracture in addition to dementia stay in hospital three times longer than those with a hip fracture who do not have dementia.

“There is good quality evidence which shows that preventing acute confusion, and other dementia-specific care challenges, is possible. But this standard of care is not being routinely implemented.

“Our research will look at people admitted with hip fractures, but it will have impact across the board.

“We will create a set of guidelines for care and rehabilitation of individuals with training materials for staff.

“These may have massive benefits to people with dementia, their families and healthcare professionals – not only in the UK but around the world.”

Initial research will take place at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital. A further 10 hospitals will be involved after three years, and the guidelines could then be rolled out under a four-year trial across the NHS.

http://www.eveningnews24.co.uk/news/uea_gets_2m_to_help_improve_dementia_care_1_2289786