The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) is reviewing the quality standards it will ask the NHS to focus on in future. These are areas that NHS services will be measured against to see how well they are performing.
We recently asked for your feedback on the draft standards. Based on the responses we received, and our experience working with those with Lewy body dementia and their families, we have submitted this response:
Lewy Body Society response to NICE quality standard – Final
The 7 quality standards contained in the draft guidance are:
1. Adults with suspected dementia are referred to a specialist dementia diagnostic service
2. Adults with dementia have a named care coordinator.
3. Adults with dementia are given a choice of activities to promote wellbeing that are tailored to their preferences.
4. Adults with dementia have a structured assessment before starting nonpharmacological or pharmacological treatment for distress.
5. Adults with dementia have the opportunity to discuss advance care planning at diagnosis and at each care review
6. Carers of adults with dementia are offered education and skills training.
7. People are made aware that lifestyle changes (eg on smoking, physical activity) can reduce the risk of developing dementia.
You can read more about the quality standards on the NICE website here.