Plan to help dementia patients 'trapped' in A&E

Restaurant-style buzzers could be used to stop dementia patients becoming "trapped" in A&E.

Rugby-based dementia nurse Victoria McGrath developed the pilot scheme, which would allow patients to leave waiting rooms with their carer and return when called.

She hopes the trial for 'Wait Well' will begin at University Hospital Coventry (UHCW), with the long-term aim of rolling it out across the UK.

McGrath said the idea was inspired by her experience of "seeing patients suffer in A&E".

Under the proposal, patients who are assessed as clinically safe to leave the waiting area would be given a pager, allowing them to spend time elsewhere in the hospital while keeping their place in the queue.

"It's a very difficult place for [dementia patients]," said McGrath. "I believe if they had some room and weren't kept in one place, that would make a huge difference," she said.

"The A&E environment can be very volatile and very scary, even for someone like me, and you'd think we're used to it. God knows what people with dementia must be experiencing.

"I think giving them the chance to move around freely could help so much."

The BBC has approached UHCW for comment.

She said the scheme would allow patients and carers to spend time away from what can be an overwhelming environment.

"They could go to the chapel, the garden or even somewhere like a shop," she said.

"They can go anywhere away from an environment that is scary and is only going to do them harm."

McGrath said the pagers would help prevent dementia patients from becoming distressed while waiting for treatment.

"Patients can be trapped in a seat for sometimes 28 hours," she said.

"Twenty-eight hours is the longest I've ever had a patient waiting in A&E."

The idea was also influenced by her own experience as a patient after suffering a fractured back.

"I felt sick, people were queuing outside, I was cold," she said. "There's no good that comes out of waiting in A&E for a person with dementia."

McGrath is now awaiting funding decisions and is working with the NHS Innovation Network to develop the proposal further.

"The next step is whether UHCW says yes," she said.

"We would run a pilot, collect data and gather as much feedback as possible. I've already developed the paperwork, training materials and clinical guidance.

"It would then be a case of training staff and making sure the system is safe and effective."

Rugby MP John Slinger has invited McGrath to a meeting to discuss the proposal.

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