Service evaluation of a Specialist Memory Clinic for adults with ID in South Wales
| DOI | https://doi.org/10.1108/AMHID-12-2016-0045 |
| Date | 03 July 2017 |
| Pages | 145-154 |
| Published date | 03 July 2017 |
| Author | Amanda Bayley,Annika Amoako,Mohamed Omer El-Tahir |
| Subject Matter | Health & social care,Learning & intellectual disabilities |
Service evaluation of a Specialist Memory
Clinic for adults with ID in South Wales
Amanda Bayley, Annika Amoako and Mohamed Omer El-Tahir
Abstract
Purpose –The purpose of this paper is to discuss the findings of a service evaluation project of the Specialist
Memory Clinic for people with intellectual disabilities in South Wales using the Dementia guidelines published
by the British Psychological Society and the Royal College of Psychiatrists (BPS/RCPsych, 2015).
Design/methodology/approach –Clinical audit using case notes of patients attending Memory Clinics
during 2011 and 2015 benchmarked against best practice guidelines; carers feedback from Memory Clinic
attendance; and evaluation of the training sessions to carers.
Findings –Audit findings show full compliance with standards (100 per cent) except for the baseline
assessment for people with Down syndrome. Carer’s evaluation and feedback was positive and constructive.
Training evaluation indicates improvement in knowledge and positively received sessions.
Research limitations/implications –The small number of people included and possibility of high
motivated team may affect the service evaluation result.
Practical implications –It is possible for the Community Learning Disability team to meet the standards
published (BPS/RCPsych, 2015) through multidisciplinary working.
Originality/value –Initial service evaluation completed after published guidelines for Dementia care by the
BPS/RCPsych (2015).
Keywords Assessment, Intellectual disability, Dementia training, Dementia, Carers feedback, Clinical audit
Paper type Technical paper
Background
Improvements in medical care of individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) have led to
improvements in their life expectancy (McConkey et al., 2006). Research has shown that
individuals with an ID have both an increased risk of developing dementia, and an earlier onset,
compared to the general population (Strydom et al., 2007). This risk is significantly heightened for
people with Down’s Syndrome (Wu and Morris, 2013). This has resulted in an aging population
of people with ID and a growing requirement for services to appropriately meet their needs.
In the past decade, there has been increased awareness and guidance around dementia care,
including the publication of “Living well with dementia: a national dementia strateg y”
(Department of Health, 2009). This strategy highlighted improved awareness and
understanding of dementia, early diagnosis and intervention and improving the quality of care.
The National Audit Office (2007) has advocated for more investment into services of early
diagnosis and intervention, in order to improve quality of care and life. The perceived benefits of
early diagnosis include optimising current medical management, improved quality of life,
improved clinical outcomes and reduced transitions (Alzheimer’s Disease International, 2011).
Health and social care in Wales indicated the key priorities for dementia as taking action to
improve dementia diagnosis rates in Wales, including extra training and support for the primary
care and paid carers across Wales (Care Council for Wales, 2016).
Given the increase in prevalence rates of dementia in individuals with ID, it is important that ID
services have an effective service provision and parity of services to that of individuals without an
ID (National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence, 2013). The British Psychological Society
Received 16 December 2016
Revised 27 March 2017
9June2017
Accepted 29 June 2017
Amanda Bayley is a Clinical
Psychologist at the Learning
Disability Services, Abertawe
Bro Morgannwg University
Health Board, Port Talbot, UK.
Annika Amoako is based at the
School of Psychology, Cardiff
University, Cardiff, UK.
Mohamed Omer El-Tahir is a
Consultant Psychiatrist at the
Learning Disability Services,
Abertawe Bro Morgannwg
University Health Board, Port
Talbot, UK.
DOI 10.1108/AMHID-12-2016-0045 VOL. 11 NO. 4 2017, pp.145-154, © Emerald Publishing Limited, ISSN 2044-1282
j
ADVANCESIN MENTAL HEALTH AND INTELLECTUAL DISABILITIES
j
PAGE145
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