Edinburgh proposes dementia section for A&E

Authorities in Edinburgh are considering a proposal to give people with dementia their own designated section of the Accident & Emergency (A&E) department at the city's Royal Infirmary.

In addition, under the new plans dementia patients admitted to the hospital would receive their own personal social worker to assess their needs and provide support, the Scotsman reports.

The initiative is being drawn up as part of a joint strategy between NHS Lothian and local councils, in order to try and limit the distress a hospital admission causes for people with dementia.

Charities and families of patients have welcomed the idea. Maureen Thom, information manager for Alzheimer Scotland in Edinburgh, told the publication: "Both of these ideas would make a positive impact.

"Hospitals can be a confusing place at the best of times, so for dementia patients it can be very distressing, especially when the ward is busy."

According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, caring for people with dementia costs the UK economy in excess of £23 billion each year.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.