Shortlisting success for Barnsley dementia service

A South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust team that supports people with memory problems in Barnsley has been shortlisted for a prestigious national health award.

The dementia services team, based at Kendray Hospital in Barnsley, are celebrating being shortlisted for the Patient Safety and Care Awards in the Dementia Care category, recognising the success of their multi-professional diagnostic forum.

The awards, run in partnership between the Health Service Journal, Nursing Times and supported by NHS Employers, celebrate excellent, safe and innovative care in health services.

In response to the changes in memory services, the team developed the forum as an innovative approach that enhances the assessment, diagnosis and delivery of dementia in its clients, embracing new ways of working and extending the ethos of the multi-professional approach to client care.

The introduction of the multi-professional diagnostic forum has seen an increase in diagnostic rates, improved partnership working with other teams and organisations, a rise in team morale and an approach that fully supports discussion and education at every level.

Nurse Consultant Andrew Stones said: “We are delighted to be shortlisted for the Patient Safety and Care Awards as it really recognises the work we do as a whole team to improve the standard of care for people living with memory problems in Barnsley.”

The success of the team’s multi-professional diagnostic forum was also recognised with an award at South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s internal staff recognition awards in 2013.

The Patient Safety and Care Awards final will take place in London on 15 July 2014. To find out more about the Trust, visit the website.