Abbeyview Surgery – A Dementia Friendly Practice, Crowland
Abbeyview Surgery is leading the way in recognising the invaluable and essential role Carers play in supporting relatives, friends or neighbours. The Practice has (and regular refers to) an up to date register of Carers and alongside flu clinics and annual health checks proactively seeks ways to enhance the Carers experiences including identifying local services and signposting Carers to appropriate support agencies. The practice has a dedicated area in the Surgery waiting room displaying and despatching up to date information for Carers. Helen Herbert the business manager said “the development of our Carer packs helps us to offer newly identified Carers immediate support, with information detailing local groups and advice agencies that can offer further advice and information”. The staff team, together with members of the PPG (Patient Participation Group) have become Dementia Friends, hosting a Dementia/Carers Forum offering information about local support available to patients. Speakers from LCYCP, the Crowland and District 55+ Carers Group and the practices very own Dr Banerjee has been invaluable in setting out the surgery’s role and future vision. Supporting the vision, the practice have designated the Senior Receptionist as the ‘Carer Champion’ alongside a member of the nursing team assigned as lead contact for patients suffering with Dementia and their Carers, with a dedicated lead GP focusing on Dementia. Helen went on to explain that given the positive feedback form the inaugural forum and the need to provide holistic Carer support, forums will become a regular feature of the practice and will consider topical issues such as the implications of the forthcoming Care Act.
