An NHS Forth Valley project to improve the experience of people with dementia who require hospital care in NHS Forth Valley has won a prestigious national award.

‘Improving the journey for people with dementia in the acute hospital setting – a collaborative approach’ won the Best Acute Care Initiative in Scotland’s Dementia Awards – 2017.

The project has increased the number of patients transferred to inpatient wards before 8pm (from 52% to 92%) and reduced the number of moves between different wards after patients have been admitted (from 33% to less than 2%).  Achieving a significant and sustained improvement in both of these areas has resulted in positive patient, carer and staff experiences.

Scotland’s Dementia Awards, a partnership between Alzheimer Scotland, NHS Education for Scotland, NHS Health Scotland and the Scottish Social Services Council, now in its 6^th year, aims to celebrate and recognise projects and the people behind them who are going the extra mile to support people living with dementia and their families across Scotland.

The Awards recognise the country’s most innovative and ambitious projects, by showcasing creative approaches from policy to practice, and highlighting the dedication of people supporting those living with dementia and their families and carers.

Nicola Wood, NHS Forth Valley’s Team Leader for Liaison Psychiatry, said:  “This is an important project which involves many different teams across Forth Valley Royal Hospital who work closely together to improve the experience of people with dementia.  The project team is delighted to have won this national award and we are very proud of the impact this work is having on improving care for local patient.”

Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “This year’s winners have raised the bar, yet again, and I am delighted to see everyone congratulated for their efforts to support people living with dementia and their families.

“A big thank you to everyone who played their part in this year’s awards to make the programme the continued success it is and I look forward to the coming year as we look to strengthen the awards programme and recognise the outstanding work, care, innovation and services across Scotland.”

Scotland’s Dementia Awards showcase the creativity, innovation and dedication that make a real difference to the daily lives of people with dementia and their families across Scotland when organisations, groups and teams work together.

For further information about Scotland’s Dementia Awards visit Alzheimer Scotland.