A NEW three-year dementia care framework has been launched by The Orders of St John Care Trust which runs 15 care homes throughout Wiltshire.

The framework outlines its training, support and partnership approach to providing some of the best dementia residential care available.

OSJCT is one of the few care home providers that has partnered with Dementia UK to employ six Admiral Nurses, who are specialists in dementia care.

They are embedding best practice and training across the Trust, as well as offering support to residents' families and carers in the community. OSJCT said: "Admiral Nurses work with our employees to train and coach them in best practice for dementia care, and with family members of people with dementia.

"When things get challenging or difficult for people with dementia and their families, OSJCT Admiral Nurses work alongside them, giving the compassionate one-to-one support, expert guidance and practical solutions that can be difficult to find elsewhere.

"They are a lifeline, helping families to live more positively with dementia in the present, and to face the challenges of tomorrow with more confidence and less fear.

The framework sets out:

• OSJCT dementia care provision and ongoing development of these services;

• guidance for OSJCT care staff detailing the knowledge and skills they need for each care role supporting people living with dementia;

• training provision to embed dementia skills widely within the organisation, including courses endorsed by Dementia UK;

• how the Trust incorporates sector standards and frameworks such as NICE Dementia Quality Standards, The National Dementia Strategy and The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020.

OSJCT Senior Admiral Nurse, Angie Williams, said: “At the Trust we provide high quality person-centred care for residents and their families.

"This framework is for our employees, our residents living with dementia, their families and carers to support delivery of the aspirations and change actions outlined in the OSJCT Corporate Plan 2019/2022, providing high quality, person-centred care for people from all sections of the community.”

Dr Rachel Daly, Dementia UK professional and practice development facilitator and Queens Nurse, said: “Dementia UK is proud to partner with The Orders of St John Care Trust as they launch The Dementia Care Framework.

"This comprehensive framework clearly demonstrates the OSJCT commitment to enabling their staff to provide the highest quality dementia care.

"We believe that the Dementia Care Framework also highlights the importance of the Admiral Nurses in providing knowledge and skills development for all the OSJCT staff around dementia care. This is in addition to Admiral Nurses' own work in providing direct specialist care and support to families affected by dementia.”

More information and case studies about residents living with dementia and family members receiving support can be found at www.osjct.co.uk/care-services/dementia-care.