for Dementia's Admiral Nurses Spearhead New Partnership Initiative To Support People With Dementia And Their Carers In East Kent, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 22 Sep 2008 - 2:00 PDT

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East Kent is the beneficiary of a groundbreaking partnership between Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust, Eastern and Coastal Primary Care Trust, the national charity for dementia and Bupa.  Working together, the partners are supporting a team of Admiral Nurses for East Kent, covering Canterbury, Thanet and Dover.

Admiral Nurses, supported by the national charity for dementia, provide emotional, practical and consistent support to families living with dementia.

Speaking at the launch, Vicky Wilson, Chair of Trustees of the charity for dementia, who train and develop Admiral Nurses said: "This launch marks a new phase in our partnership with Kent and Medway Trust and Eastern and Coastal Kent PCT and a significant step forward in our relationship with Bupa. The financial help from Bupa and the support of the Trust and PCT extends the reach of the Admiral Nurses to more carers and persons with dementia - those who so desperately need the expert help that Admiral Nurses provide."

Dr Clive Bowman, Medical Director at Bupa Care Services added "As a leading provider of specialist dementia care homes, Bupa recognises the impact dementia has in the community and the important contribution Admiral Nurses make in helping individuals and their families understand and cope with the challenges presented by the disease. We are proud to have pledged over £1 million to help fund three new teams of Admiral Nurses, the first of which is in East Kent - we know the support, comfort and help they provide will be invaluable."

Pat Brown, Clinical Lead Admiral Nurse for East Kent based in Dover on Admiral Nurses said: "Our aim is to help family carers, and those with dementia for whom they care, experience an improved quality of care and overall quality of life."

Katrina Hurley, a carer of her father-in-law who has dementia said at the launch: "Our Admiral Nurse has been key in bridging the gap between us as a family and all the services. We could not have managed without her - there is now a light at the end of the tunnel."

A national helpline is available to family and professional carers 0845 257 9406 manned exclusively by experienced Admiral Nurses. 

The mission of for dementia is to improve the quality of life of people with dementia by promoting and developing Admiral Nursing; providing high quality training and promoting best practice for professionals working with older people, carers and people with dementia; and supporting the Uniting Carers for dementia network giving carers a voice. For more information log on to http://www.fordementia.org.uk

Admiral Nurses, supported by the charity for dementia, are registered community mental health nurses specialising in dementia care who offer support and expertise to families caring for someone with dementia. They work in partnership with other health and social care providers, and provide leadership to improve dementia care.  For more information log on to http://www.fordementia.org.uk/admiral.htm

To extend the availability across the UK of the expertise of Admiral Nurses to family and professional carers and people with dementia, for dementia has established the Admiral Nursing DIRECT helpline 0845 257 9406 and email service direct@fordementia.org.uk manned exclusively by experienced Admiral Nurses.

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