Dementia Care Given at Welsh Hospitals in Need of a 'Shake-Up' CALLS MADE FOR SIGNIFICANT IMPROVEMENT IN TREATMENT

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Byline: JANE KIRBY

A "SIGNIFICANT improvement" is needed in the way Welsh hospitals deliver care to people with dementia, according to a new report.

While hospitals say they have policies in place, these are not always followed and simple steps are not taken that could lessen the distress to patients, most of whom are elderly.

The study said the encounter between staff and patients "is mainly task-related and delivered in a largely impersonal manner" while the hospital environment is "often impersonal". Staff do not always greet or talk to patients during care, explaining what they were doing or offering choice. Sometimes they do not respond to patient …