Carers at the North Middlesex NHS Trust are now being offered a Carer's Passport in a bid to significantly improve the experience of people with dementia who are faced with a hospital admission.
The passport was the idea of Dr Sophie Edwards, Consultant Geriatrician at the Trust, to ensure that carers are recognised as more than simply visitors, but an essential part of the patient's support team.
A hospital admission is not only frightening for someone with dementia, but potentially dangerous.... strange surroundings, lack of routine, and difficulties communicating needs can all lead to unnecessary distress and agitation. Add to this the increased risk of delirium if the person is in a state of shock (following medical trauma) or suffering from disturbed sleep and dehydration, and there is a real danger that the patient's needs may not be fully met.
The role a carer can play in providing familiarity, stimulation and reassurance, can make a real difference.
The Carer's Passport helps them by providing increased access to the hospital by allowing visiting outside of normal visiting hours and providing free parking to encourage more frequent visits.
The scheme is supported by John's Campaign - he movement to open up hospital wards to carers of patients living with Alzheimer's or one of the other forms of dementia.
Explaining the thinking behind the introduction of the passport scheme, Dr Sophie Edwards explained in an interview with The Guardian, who are supporting the ongoing work by John's Campaign:
The presence of a familiar face in the form of a carer can be reassuring. We developed the Carer’s passport at North Middlesex University NHS Trust to allow carers more flexible access to the hospital and cheaper car parking rates. This supports carers to attend the hospital out of visiting hours and reassures them that person with dementia’s needs are being met appropriately. It also reminds staff that carers play a vital role in ensuring high-quality and focused care is provided to people with dementia and that carers often want to feel involved in care and decisions within the health care setting.
Consultant Geriatrician, North Middlesex NHS Trust
Photograph and Interview with Dr Edwards courtesy of The Guardian 15/8/15
