Challenges of implementing and embedding a programme to improve care for people with dementia on hospital wards

We recently took part in a national research project which evaluated an intervention to enhance person-centred care for people with dementia in hospital. The PIE (Person, Interactions, Environment) programme involves staff observing care on a ward, focusing on these three areas.

Findings from observations form the basis for introducing changes to ward practices. Implementing PIE led to improvements in practice, but proved challenging in the current context of the NHS. Sustaining the programme following the research required key features to be in place, in particular the presence of a ‘driver’ to maintain momentum, the support of the ward manager to encourage ward staff to take part, and a degree of flexibility and persistence in the implementation of the programme.

Staff expressed satisfaction from taking part in PIE, which continues to be a tool which is used to improve care in this area of practice.