
Dementia services
Staying in hospital can be an unsettling experience for anyone, and if you're living with dementia you may feel particularly distressed. The change of environment may make you more confused than usual and this can be worrying for both you and your relatives.
It's important that staff are made aware if you have a diagnosis of dementia. This is so we can support you appropriately. We will ask your relative information about you, if you're unable to tell us yourself, so that we can carefully tailor the care you receive.
You're entitled to expect high standards of care and treatment, and to be treated with dignity and respect.
If you would like further advice or support during your hospital stay, please ask the ward to contact the Admiral Nurse or Dementia and Delirium Nurse who can visit you and talk with your relatives.
Dementia friendly
We've signed up to the “Dementia Friendly Hospital Charter”. This outlines the high-level principles that people with dementia and their carers can expect when accessing our hospitals.
We've signed up to the “Dementia Friendly Hospital Charter”. This outlines the high-level principles that a dementia-friendly hospital should provide, making us a dementia-friendly Trust.
We have been awarded 'Working Towards Dementia Friendly Hospitals' status for 2022-23. This is for what we have already achieved, what is in progress, and what we aspire to achieve in relation to dementia care. You can view our action plan here: Dementia Strategy Group Action Plan 2022/23 [docx].
This is me
This is Me provides professionals with information about a person with dementia to help enhance the care and support they receive whilst in an unfamiliar environment.
Dementia affects each person differently, so we ask that you and your relative complete this document so that we can get to know them and better understand their needs to provide better personalised care.
For help to complete this document, visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk/get-support/publications-factsheets/this-is-me
Training for relatives, carers and friends
Anyone can become a Dementia Friend.
A Dementia Friend is someone that learns about dementia so they can help their community. They help people living with dementia by taking action – both big and small!
If you're interested in becoming a Dementia Friend, visit https://www.dementiafriends.org.uk.
Carers and support information
Carers information
We're proud to support John’s Campaign, which allows access for carers to support their relatives anytime – even outside of normal visiting hours. Read Carers information leaflet [pdf] 446KB to find out more.
Support contacts
- Dementia UK: Specialist support to families facing dementia, visit https://www.dementiauk.org
- Silverline: Offer conversation and friendship calls, visit https://www.thesilverline.org.uk
- Carer’s First: Provide practical information and advice to unpaid carers, visit https://www.carersfirst.org.uk
- Alzheimer’s Society (covering mid Essex and Basildon): Support, advice and information for people living with dementia and their carers, visit https://www.alzheimers.org.uk
- Community Dementia Support Team (covering Southend): Enhanced support for people living with dementia and their carers, visit https://www.southend.gov.uk/specialist-support/dementia?documentId=244&categoryId=200389
- Dementia Intensive Support Service (DISS), Mid Essex area, call 01245 515300
- Single PA for community dementia and memory services, Thurrock, Basildon and Brentwood area, call 01268 739116
- Rare Dementia Support, Dementia Research Centre (UCL), visit https://www.raredementiasupport.org or email contact@raredementiasupport.org.
We need your help
We want our patients and their carers to feel confident that they will have a positive, safe experience in our hospitals.
We strive to continually improve our service and your feedback is important in helping us do this.
If you have a few minutes, please complete this short Carers Experience Survey [docx] 121K.