title: Introduction to the transforming dementia care in hospitals series.
abstract: A short series of articles in Nursing Older People, starting in September, presents case study examples of the positive work achieved by trusts that participated in the RCN's development programme to improve dementia care in acute hospitals. This introductory article reports on the independent evaluation of the programme. The programme included a launch event, development days, site visits, ongoing support by the RCN lead and carer representatives and a conference to showcase service improvements. The evaluation drew on data from a survey, the site visits, trust action plans and a range of self-assessment tools for dementia care. The findings highlight substantial progress towards programme objectives and learning outcomes and suggest that the programme provided the focus, impetus and structure for trusts to make sustainable changes. It also equipped participants with the strategies and confidence to change practice. Recommendations are made for taking the programme forward.
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Simon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Evans
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Dawn
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Brooker
authors.affiliation: Admiral Nursing, Dementia UK.
authors.forename: Rachel
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: Thompson
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Jennifer
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bray
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Milosevic
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Mary
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bruce
authors.affiliation: University of Worcester.
authors.forename: Christine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Carter
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D000544:Alzheimer Disease / Q000451:nursing*; D003704:Dementia / Q000451:nursing*; D004509:Education, Nursing, Continuing; D005851:Geriatric Nursing / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006739:Hospital Administration / Q000379:methods; D006801:Humans; D009732:Nursing Care / Q000458:organization & administration*; D009936:Organizational Innovation; D015397:Program Evaluation; D013222:State Medicine / Q000458:organization & administration*; D006113:United Kingdom
keywords: Acute hospitals; dementia; development programme; evaluation; leadership