A specialist service for people experiencing delirium have been shortlisted in prestigious national awards.
The reach out delirium service North Cumbria was developed to prevent, detect, and manage delirium in north Cumbrian hospitals.
In recognition of the team’s significant positive impact on patient care, they have been shortlisted for ‘Psychiatric Team of the Year: Older-age adults’ in the Royal College of Psychiatrists Awards.
Delirium is an upsetting condition affects about two in every 10 people admitted to hospital.
Delirium is a temporary state of mental confusion that starts suddenly, usually caused by a physical condition of some sort, such as an infection – including COVID-19.
Medical problems, surgery and medications can all cause delirium too.
The service was launched to help identify patients with delirium early on, so they can be successfully treated as quickly as possible and recover at home, as well as preventing delirium in the first place wherever possible.
Working seven days a week, the team seek out and screen patients at risk of delirium who are admitted to hospital – they screen about 2,000 patients every month.
The team then ‘reach out’ to the patient, carers, and staff to offer support, with patients with suspected or confirmed delirium being seen twice a day by the team.
They also help to co-ordinate discharge and coordinate follow-up to support the person once they are out of hospital.
The service’s impact on preventing delirium and reducing patients’ length of stay has seen it save the healthcare system over £1 million a year.
Since the team’s introduction in 2017 there has been a 20 per cent reduction in delirium across the hospitals. The average length of stay for patients at risk of delirium has also decreased, and patient outcomes and quality of care have improved.
David Storm, associate director for access and community services in North Cumbria at CNTW said: “The news that our service has been shortlisted is a fantastic boost after such a tough year.
“This small team has made a huge difference, enabling a significant reduction in delirium across North Cumbria.
“The team have also played a significant role in supporting patients and their families throughout the pandemic, particularly where restrictions necessary due to COVID-19 have had such a negative impact on older people.
“The team have really shown innovation and flexibility, working in partnership with all disciplines across the hospitals, and we are very proud of their achievements.”
