NHS Foundation Trust’s joint talk on dementia

Two local NHS Foundation Trusts have linked to provide their members with more information about how to cope when family or friends with dementia go into hospital.

Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust and the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust are hosting a joint event called Coming into hospital – improving care for patients with dementia. It is being held from 2pm to 5pm on Tuesday 10th August at the John Innes Conference Centre, Norwich.

The event is open to members of both NHS Foundation Trusts and the general public. Book for the event by ringing the Membership Office at the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital on 01603 287634 or e-mailing [email protected]

David Prior, Chair of the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, said: “Our staff are working closely with those in mental health to learn new skills and ensure we provide the best possible care for patients with dementia.”

Maggie Wheeler, Chair of Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust said: “As a mental health trust we have considerable experience and expertise in working with people with dementia.


“But people with dementia also get cancer, have heart disease, break their legs – they need to know that as well as the excellent physical care they require, the special needs of their dementia will also be understood. That is why understanding dementia is vital to all of us in our community – and why I welcome this joint initiative”.

Facts on Dementia:


– Approximately 600,000 people in the UK have dementia. This represents 5% of the total population aged 65 and over, rising to 20% of the population aged 80 and over (www.dh.gov.uk). As we get older our chances of developing dementia increases sharply, but younger people can get dementia as well.


– It is estimated that by 2017 there will be 12,740 people with dementia in Norfolk, a rise of 132 per cent, and that by 2021 there will be 14,260 people with dementia in the county.


– Studies estimate that two thirds of acute hospital inpatients are 65+ years old and that 31% of this older population will have dementia at any one time. A further 22% will have some form of cognitive impairment (figures taken from whocareswins, 2005). The NNUH has about a thousand beds; meaning that even at conservative estimates, over 200 of these patients will have dementia at any one time.


– The Norfolk and Waveney Mental Health NHS Foundation Trust will be opening a Dementia Intensive Care Unit in March 2012.


NCN-Silver Screen T-Shirt printers