Implementing John’s Campaign on a mental health hospital ward

This article has been double-blind peer reviewed

In this article…

• Experience of people with dementia in hospital

• Benefits of the presence of carers of people with dementia on hospital wards

• What John’s Campaign is and how it can be implemented

Abstract

People with dementia often find it difficult to cope with being in hospital, particularly on mental health wards. The presence of their informal carers can have numerous benefits, including reassuring them, helping with their care, giving staff details of their needs and wishes, and helping with decision making for patients who lack mental capacity. John’s Campaign defends the right of informal carers to visit patients who have dementia at any time during their hospital stay. This article explores the evidence on people with dementia in hospital and the benefits of the presence of carers. It also describes how John’s Campaign was implemented on a mental health ward in Cheltenham.

Citation

Atkins R (2018) Implementing John’s Campaign on a mental health hospital ward. Nursing Times; 114: 12, 21-23.