Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) has been rated one of the top 15 providers in England for dementia-friendly care by its own patients, a new survey has revealed.
The Patient-Led Assessments of the Care Environment (PLACE) review took place across 760 Beds, 44 Wards and 18 inpatient units across the trust. They involve local people (known as Patient Assessors) analysing how NHS organisations support the provision of clinical care, assessing such things as privacy and dignity, food, cleanliness, and general building maintenance and, more recently, the extent to which the environment can support the care of those with dementia.
PLACE assessments take place every year, and results are published to help drive improvements in the care environment. The results show how hospitals are performing both nationally and in relation to other hospitals providing similar services.
Paul Scott, Chief Executive of Essex Partnership University NHS Foundation Trust (EPUT) said:
“We are delighted to have been recognised by our own patients as offering dementia-friendly environments and care. Dementia-friendly care is vital in helping people live well with dementia and remain a part of their community.
“With the NHS diagnosing a record number of older people with dementia this year, it’s more important than ever that patients get the right support and care across all of our services.
“We will be sharing our best practice to improve the experience of patients across Essex and the country.”
Elsewhere in the PLACE survey, the trust improved on the national average and previous scores in the privacy, dignity and wellbeing category. The Trust has recently invested over £3 million to remove dormitory accommodation at Basildon Mental Health Unit.