CQC launches review of dementia care

Care regulator the Care Quality Commission (CQC) is to inspect more than 150 care homes and acute hospitals to review how people with dementia are cared for in England.

CQC will explore the care and support that these services provide for people with dementia and, in doing so, draw common themes on what works well and what needs to improve on a national level.

These inspections will focus on how:

• People living with dementia are supported to maintain their physical and mental wellbeing 

• Effective care can reduce admissions to hospital from care homes and avoid unnecessarily lengthy stays 

• Care services can work together when there is a need for people to move between services. 

All of CQC’s inspections will be unannounced. For every service inspected, CQC will publish a report detailing its judgements and any required improvements.

David Behan, chief executive of the CQC, said: “670,000 people in England are estimated to have dementia and the number is expected to double over the next three decades. We know that these people are often vulnerable because of their condition and can rely on a number of services across health and social care to support their physical, mental and social wellbeing.

“There is a real need to explore why people with dementia may not be receiving high quality care, as well as how the different services work together.”

He added that this is the first time that the CQC has undertaken such a review. “It will address the key issues that these people face, such as why admissions to hospital from care homes are higher for people who have dementia compared to those who do not have the condition.

“Our findings will draw conclusions on a national scale about what works well and where improvements are required.”

Additionally, the CQC will publish a national report in May 2014, which will highlight the key themes on a national level. 

The CQC wants to hear from people with dementia, or the relatives and friends of people with dementia, and their carers about their experiences, such as of moving between hospitals and care homes (for emergency and non-emergency admissions). These will inform part of the commentary for the national report. 

They can do this on CQC’s website (www.cqc.org.uk) or through Age UK, Dementia Action Alliance, Regional Voices, Dementia Advocacy Network and the Race Equality Foundation.