Two thirds of hospital staff think their training in dementia is inadequate

Many hospitals in England and Wales are failing to care adequately for people with dementia, says the Royal College of Psychiatrists after an audit.

Its national audit of 210 hospitals has identified the need for “significant improvements,” including better training of staff in catering to patients’ needs.

Although it found that care was basically safe, too many patients with dementia endure distress in unfamiliar environments without sufficient help or communication.

The research, for the first audit of its kind, included questionnaires to 2211 staff, analysis of ward data, and observations of care by hospital staff.

It found that staff often failed to greet or talk to patients during care, explain choices to them, or in some cases respond to patients’ requests for help.

Peter Crome, chairman of …