Quality standard launched for patients with dementia

The Royal College of Ophthalmologists and the VISION 2020 UK Dementia and Sight Loss Committee have developed a quality standard for eye clinics and ophthalmology departments.

Patients with dementia and their carers would benefit from being identified in advance of attending their appointment in order for eye clinic staff to be aware of their needs, a statement said.

Seven quality statements were designed based on the NICE format for quality standards to help ophthalmology departments assess their services.

‘This piece of work highlights the breadth of what should be considered in providing care to patients with dementia in an eye clinic requires liaison between the patient, carers, all staff, managers, and commissioners of care within the care pathway,’ said Paul Ursell, consultant ophthalmologist at The Royal College of Ophthalmologists, consultant at Epsom & St Helier University NHS Trust and VISION 2020 UK Dementia and Sight Loss Committee member.