Search the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website
Search the Herefordshire and Worcestershire Health and Care NHS Trust website
Early Intervention Dementia Service (EIDS)
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EIDS is for patients of any age and works towards providing a timely diagnosis of dementia. Following diagnosis, the team supports patients and their families with a needs-led post diagnostic package of support. We provide a comprehensive and accessible service, focusing on high quality interventions to support people living with an early dementia and those who support them.
- Service Manager Lead: Tanya Jacobs (North) & Alison Walters (South)
- Address: F Block, Kidderminster Hospital, Bewdley Road, Kidderminster, DY11 6RJ
- Reception phone number: 01562 714777
- Service hours: Monday to Friday 9-5pm
About the service
The service is comprised of a multi-disciplinary team which include mental health nurses, occupational therapists, support workers, consultant psychiatrists and clinical psychologists. Patients who require social care would be referred to a community social work team.
The aims of the service are as follows:
- An increased percentage of dementia recorded on primary care dementia registers.
- A reduction in time from first symptoms to diagnosis.
- Patients with dementia have the opportunity to make decisions about their care before their mental capacity is impaired (when a referral is made at an early stage).
- Engagement with primary care and others to raise awareness of the value of early intervention, stimulate referrals and reduce negative attitudes to referrals.
- The achievement of a high appropriate referral rate and a high acceptance rate with service users and carers.
- An increase in the overall number of new cases of dementia seen.
- Successful engagement with minority groups.
- To improve quality of life for service users and carers; alongside the enablement of lifestyle choices for the future.
About Dementia
Dementia is an umbrella term used to characterise a group of symptoms that describe a decline in cognitive function (thinking, reasoning, and remembering) that has an effect on daily life. There are several different types of dementia, and we will discuss the possibility of a dementia diagnosis with you first, and you will be informed of any diagnosis in accordance with your wishes.
People may experience difficulties with their thinking skills for a variety of reasons. Exhaustion, stress from work and life, depression, excessive alcohol intake, physical health issues, and medication side effects can contribute to changes in your thinking skills.
Make a referral
How to access the Early Intervention Dementia Service
If you are noticing changes and wonder if you or someone you know may be developing a dementia we would encourage you to speak with your GP in the first instance so they can complete any investigations needed and consider if a referral to a specialist team is required.
Referrals are often completed by GP’s however we accept referrals from many other sources too.
Referrals should be directed to the mental health Single Point of Access (SPA). We are unable accept self-referrals or urgent referrals.
Information for patients
Please watch the lived experiences of Sue Beeson, who was under the EIDS team last year, who has kindly done 2 videos for the Trust about her feelings and experiences after a diagnosis of dementia. Sue talks about things that have helped her to have an inspirational, positive attitude towards life.
These videos are on our Trust’s YouTube page but the links to the videos are here to watch also:
Contact details
If you require any further information, please get in contact with the services below:
Alzheimer’s Society National Helpline
A charity aimed to support people living with dementia, through research, care, and support. Tel: 0300 222 1122 Website: www.alzheimers.org.uk
Social Services
Social Services can offer a variety of practical help and support to enable people to continue living independently and consider the needs of carers.Tel: 01905 768053
Age UK
Age UK is a charity dedicated to helping people later in life, providing support, advice and companionship. Tel: 0800 678 1602 Website: https://www.ageuk.org.uk/
Dementia Roadmap
Dementia Roadmap is also a useful resource that enables you to discover a wide range of support services and activities available in your area.Website: https://dementiaroadmap.co.uk/
Next Steps
Next steps is a resource that helps you find the right support, at the right time, whilst waiting for your memory assessment appointment. Website: https://www.nextsteps.org.uk/