Care homes given pioneering dementia training

NHS England estimates one in three people will care for someone with dementia in their lifetime

A scheme in Surrey aimed at improving access to dementia care and upskilling care home staff has been called "the first of its kind in the UK" by Surrey County Council (SCC).

Two Admiral Nurses, specialist dementia nurses who work with families, are delivering training to build the expertise of care home staff in supporting people with complex needs.

So far 10 care homes which have received training have seen waiting times for admissions fall by three days on average, down by almost 19 per cent, according to the council.

Christine Salmon, one of the Admiral Nurses supported by Dementia UK, said she hoped staff felt "empowered to support people living with dementia in the best possible way."

Tabitha Harrison-Lyons, a manager at Oakleigh Care Homes in Godstone, which has taken part in the project, said: "It's been great to develop colleagues' knowledge and understanding about enhanced dementia."

The scheme is being developed by Dementia UK and funded by SCC and Surrey Heartlands Integrated Care Board.

Caroline Scates, director of nursing services at Dementia UK, said dementia was a "complex condition" that affected people differently.

"It's vital that care home staff feel equipped with the skills and knowledge to provide the best care for their residents," Ms Scates added.

Leading cause of UK deaths

In the UK, one in three people will care for someone with dementia during their lives, according to NHS England.

Dementia manifests in various ways, from impacting memory and language to feeling disoriented with increased anxiety, depression or agitation.

It was one of the main causes of death in Surrey in 2023, with SCC saying it represented roughly one in every seven people who died.

By 2030, SCC said people with dementia in Surrey is expected to rise from 17,700 to 22,672 - a jump of 28 per cent.

Sinead Mooney, SCC cabinet member for adult social care, said: "We want everyone who needs support to receive compassionate, informed care - whether they're living in their own home or in one of the many residential homes in Surrey."

A further 12 care homes will begin receiving visits later this year and in 2026, according to the council.