Angela Willis

A multi – agency approach for Gloucestershire that supports the National

Dementia Strategy

Background and Development

• Emerging evidence – local, regional and national•The work of Gloucestershire’s Older People’s Mental Health Training Group – benchmarked best practice & undertook learning needs analysis• Partnerships for Older People’s Project (POPP) provided funding which enabled focus on dementia training• A countywide strategy for dementia training & education – first draft March 2008• Alignment with national strategy and local priorities – final draft September 2009

Challenges• Low skills base• Huge staff numbers • Different cultures / organisations• Patchy and disjointed training provision / packages• Need for cost effective and sustainable approach

Critical Challenges• How to embed the learning into everyday practice?

- the role of the Dementia Link Worker (DLW)- In-reach specialist support

Key outcome

• To improve the quality of individual centred dementia care, through the development of dementia knowledge, skills and confidence throughout Gloucestershire’s Health & Social Care workforce

Aims

• To develop a confident and competent workforce to meet both current and future demand

• To deliver a systematic and consistent multi-agency pathway and staged development model

• To achieve core workforce competencies• To ‘kite mark’ training / introduce dementia ‘passport’• To ensure learning is embedded into practice to improve

the quality of person centred dementia care

Related Objectives

• To work in partnership to meet a shared, outcome focussed framework

• To work with training & education providers to develop their capacity

• To promote the development of a learning culture- increasing learning opportunities and addressing sustainability issues

• To align approach within wider training and qualification frameworks (both existing and new)

How?

A three year implementation plan which…..• builds on successful pathway model for care homes• is jointly funded and resourced• Is overseen by the dementia training & education group,

reporting to Gloucestershire’s Dementia PMB

The pathway

• Dementia e-learning• Dementia local learning resources which

include bite size training (hard copy packs and interactive e-versions)

• Dementia training days one and two• Dementia level 2 Award (now QCF)

All of above supported in practice by DLW

The role of the DLW

• Provides a link between theory & practice – translating learning into person centred practice

• Uses the on-site dementia learning resources to develop other staff

• Promotes interests of person with dementia• Works with other DLW’s for peer support and

sharing of best practice

How are DLW’s supported?

• Three new roles of Dementia Education Nurses (DEN) develop & support DLW’s

• Undertake enhanced dementia link worker training pathway, includes best practice forums and trainer / coaching skills

• Once qualified they participate in DLW CPD programme

Priorities

• The Strategy aims to be inclusive of a wide range of groups and services

• Dementia training days and E-Learning have been developed and are available for all

• In accordance with agreed priorities the following groups are being supported with dedicated resources……….

Priority Groups (2010/11)

• Care Homes (as in 2009/10)• Domiciliary Care •Community Hospitals• Managers • Primary Care Facilities • Carers

Where are we now?

• Dementia training & education pathways agreed for care homes, domiciliary care, intermediate care, primary care and community hospitals •Practising Dementia Link Workers in 87% of our Care Homes, 25 DLW’s being developed in domiciliary care and DLW model now agreed for Community Hospitals• Excellent uptake of all learning resources•New dementia leadership programme introduced

Where are we now (continued)

• Significant cross-sector working to embed learning into practice

• Joint PCT & LA funding agreed• Carers Education developments• Resources being accessed by Housing, wider

community groups, carers and PA’s• Alignment with End of Life Care education• Successful CPD programme for DLW’s

Evaluation to date

• Greater knowledge, skills and confidence within care homes reported by managers, DLW’s, staff and relatives

• Evidence of higher quality person centred dementia care

• Emerging evidence of reduction in referrals to NHS• Successful pathway model • Identified as ‘innovative practice’ by SHA review team

The future• To maintain the knowledge, skills and attributes of those trained-

sustainability the key!• Addressing the needs of primary care - increasing knowledge and

skills of General Practitioners• Designated support and links to Community Dementia

Nursing• Flexible approaches

• Meeting the needs of local communities, local companies, businesses

• Cultural competence and sensitivity

The future

• Develop DLW’s for community hospitals• Year three priority areas to be agreed - includes wider

community development • Ensure pathway meets competency requirements for new

dementia qualifications on the Qualifications & Credits Framework

• Secure sufficient and long term funding• Evaluate impact on people living with dementia