Community Dementia Liaison Service

Our service

Our service provides person-centred care to people, families and carers living with dementia in Hartlepool. We put your wishes, preferences and independence at the centre of what we do.

We work alongside other services such as GPs, Intermediate Care teams, Social Services, Community Mental Health and other community services, as well as services provided by the voluntary sector. We also offer advice and support to other healthcare professionals involved in your care.

Our aim is to improve general well-being and quality of life to those at risk of losing their independence, prevent hospital admission and readmission.

Who we are

Registered Nurse

• Able to provide advice on symptoms you may be experiencing and how to manage them
• Emotional support to you and your family/carers, while addressing physical health

Occupational Therapist

• Can help you to stay independent and continue engaging in activities that are important to you
• Provides equipment, adaptations and advice to help make every day activities easier for you to achieve
• Can assess any changes happening on a cognitive level (your senses, thoughts, feelings, and ability to learn), and provide techniques to help you manage

How can the service help me?

• Home visits to assess and discuss your personal and carer needs.

• Time for you, your family/carers to talk through your thoughts and feelings and how to develop coping strategies

• Help and support to make future plans

• Support to access packages of care

• Functional assessments (how you manage your activities of daily living – washing, dressing etc)

• Environmental assessments (looking at where you live and identify any equipment that may help you in your home)

• Advice on symptoms

• Working in partnership to reduce hospital admission/ likelihood of readmission

• Signposting and referral to local support services

• Support you by talking to other health professionals involved in your care, such as your GP, District Nurse, hospital consultants and social services. This will only be done with your consent

• Ensure crisis and contingency plans are in place

• We can also provide tailored dementia training to families/carers and health professionals.

In the event that we are unable to provide you with the service you need, we will signpost you to ensure you remain supported.

What we don’t do

• Regular planned visits for personal care, medication, shopping, domestic chores, collecting prescriptions
• Memory assessments/ diagnosis

Getting in touch

You, your family/carers or healthcare professionals can make a referral via the Single Point of Access (SPA).

Request a referral from your GP or, alternatively, call 01429 522500 (Monday – Friday, 9.00am– 5.00pm) and ask for Community Dementia Liaison Service.

Please note the service is not available at weekends and Bank Holidays. If you have any concerns outside of these working hours, please contact your GP Out of Hours (Urgent Care) on 111 or District Nurse.

Useful Contacts

The Bridge Dementia Advisory Service

Provides support and information to help people live well with dementia. It also offers activity and support groups for both the person with dementia and their carers.

Monday to Friday 09:00am-05:00pm
Tel: 01429 868587
https://hospitalofgod.org.uk/the-bridge

Hartlepool Carers

Provide bespoke advice, information and support services, as well as raising awareness of carer’s issues locally, regionally and nationally.

Monday to Thursday 09:00am – 05:00pm
Friday 09:00am – 03:00pm
Tel: 01429 283095
https://www.hartlepoolcarers.org.uk/

Hartlepool Now

Informative website – information available regarding local help, services, activities and wellbeing advice
https://www.hartlepoolnow.co.uk/

Comments, concerns, compliments or complaints

Patient Experience Team (PET)

We are continually trying to improve the services we provide. We want to know what we’re doing well or if there’s anything which we can improve, that’s why the Patient Experience Team (PET) is here to help. Our Patient Experience Team is here to try to resolve your concerns as quickly as possible. The office is based on the ground floor at the University Hospital of North Tees if you wish to discuss concerns in person. If you would like to contact or request a copy of our PET leaflet, please contact:

Telephone: 01642 624719

Freephone: 0800 092 0084

Opening hours: Monday to Friday, 9:30am to 4:00pm

Email: [email protected]

Out of hours

Out of hours if you wish to speak to a senior member of Trust staff, please contact the hospital switchboard who will bleep the appropriate person.

Telephone: 01642 617617

Data protection and use of patient information

The Trust has developed Data Protection policies in accordance with Data Protection Legislation (UK General Data Protection Regulations and Data Protection Act 2018) and the Freedom of Information Act 2000. All of our staff respect these policies and confidentiality is adhered to at all times. If you require further information on how we process your information please see our Privacy Notices.

Telephone: 01642 383551

Email: [email protected]

Leaflet feedback

This leaflet has been produced in partnership with patients and carers. All patient leaflets are regularly reviewed, and any suggestions you have as to how it may be improved are extremely valuable. Please write to the Clinical Governance team, North Tees and Hartlepool NHS Foundation Trust, University Hospital of North Tees, TS19 8PE or:

Email: [email protected]