CQC staff to receive dementia awareness training from Alzheimer's Society

Staff working for the Care Quality Commission (CQC) will for the first time receive dementia awareness training.

Through a partnership with Alzheimer’s Society, staff from the body that regulates health and care services in England, will meet with experts from the dementia charity and receive training in how to spot the signs and symptoms of the condition.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society said: “The CQC has a vital role to play in ensuring that people with dementia receive the best care whatever environment they live in. As the people who are responsible for care standards it’s crucial that all CQC staff are aware of the particular needs of people with dementia.”

With dementia or severe memory problems affecting 80 per cent of care home residents, the training will provide over 2,000 staff members with a crucial baseline understanding of dementia.

The training will cover what dementia is, explore the issues that surround communicating with people with dementia, and give an insight into the experience of living with the condition.

It is hoped that by giving CQC staff training in dementia, it will improve their ability to inspect care homes and assess the quality of care being provided for those with the illness. The training will be delivered to all staff from inspectors to support staff such as policymakers.

David Behan, chief executive of the Care Quality Commission said: “It is important CQC staff are able to recognise high quality care for people with dementia. This new partnership with the Alzheimer's Society means staff will be supported and developed to do this by the leading expert organisation.”

Mr Hughes, continued: “There are 800,000 people with dementia in the UK. We know that they too often go into hospital when it’s not the best option, stay too long and that those in care homes are not always enjoying a good quality of life. We can’t go on like this. It’s encouraging to see the CQC bring in our experts to work with their staff in order to improve the lives of people with the condition.”

To find out more about the Alzheimer’s Society visit: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/