Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:730. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the current care pathways for persons with dementia requiring acute hospital care. [3836/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 27 January 2021
Ceisteanna (730, 731, 732)
Mary Lou McDonald
Ceist:731. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the actions he has taken following publication of the HSE's second national audit of dementia care in acute hospitals. [3837/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraMary Lou McDonald
Ceist:732. Deputy Mary Lou McDonald asked the Minister for Health the dementia training provided for front-line acute hospital staff; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3838/21]
Amharc ar fhreagraFreagraí scríofa
I propose to take Questions Nos. 730 to 732, inclusive, together.
The 2014 National Dementia Strategy contains a number of actions intended to improve care for people with dementia who require acute hospital admission. These actions are centred around the provision of a dementia and delirium care pathway, including through emergency departments, and the assignment of a senior clinician to lead the development and implementation of the pathway. The Strategy emphasises the importance of an integrated and multi-disciplinary response by care providers. Hospitals should be dementia-friendly, people with dementia should spend no longer than is absolutely necessary in hospital, and staff should have the training necessary to treat and support the person with dementia.
The second national audit of dementia in acute hospitals, which was published in 2019, shows that there have been improvements in dementia hospital care since the first audit in 2013, and highlights the need for further work in areas including delirium screening, dementia pathways and staff training. The National Dementia Office in the HSE has produced a range of online resources to support acute hospital staff to improve the care experience for people with dementia.
Budget 2021 provides an additional €12.9 million for dementia services and supports and includes provision for the development and implementation of dementia care pathways in acute hospitals as well as for the implementation in all settings of the National Clinical Guideline on the appropriate prescribing of psychotropic medication for non-cognitive symptoms of dementia.
In relation to the specific issues raised by the Deputy, as these are service matters, I have asked the Health Service Executive to respond directly to the Deputy as soon as possible.