Alzheimer’s Society Responds To New Statistics From The HSCIC On Patient-Led Assessments Of The Care Environment

Results of the Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) are published today (Tuesday 11 August 2015) by the Health and Social Care Information Centre (HSCIC).

The report is in its third year and provides the results of assessments of healthcare premises within the NHS and independent sectors in England. For the first time, it includes an assessment on how well healthcare environments support the provision of care to those with dementia.

The dementia assessments focus particularly on flooring, decor and signage and also look at other facilities including seating and handrails, which can help those who have dementia as well as people with other disabilities and conditions. The national average score for dementia across all sites is 74.51% with a lowest score of 40.26% and a highest score of 100%.

George McNamara, Head of Policy at Alzheimer’s Society said: “Despite the rising numbers of people with dementia, these figures reveal that many hospitals and care settings are still not adequately equipped to meet their needs and there is alarming regional variation. It is vital dementia friendly facilities, such as clear signage and handrails, are in place consistently across the country so that people with the condition can be cared for appropriately.

“New environments can be very frightening and disorientating for people with dementia. Through the Dementia Friendly Hospitals project we aim to give people and their families the confidence that they are receiving the best possible care. Already 110 hospitals have signed up and many are already implementing change, with many more interested. Now this commitment must be turned into action. With a strong focus on integrated health and social care we can build a national network of dementia-friendly hospitals and care settings that can transform dementia care and support.”

The report can be viewed at:  http://www.hscic.gov.uk/pubs/place15