About this trial
Study Goal: Understand carers' needs when someone with dementia is in a mental health ward and develop strategies to support carers as partners in care.
Research Questions:
* What are mental health wards like in terms of staff, patients, and current carer support? * What do carers experience and need during admission, discharge, and beyond? * How do ward routines and staff practices affect carer involvement? * How can co-design turn research into practical strategies for carer support? * Can these strategies be implemented effectively?
Method: The investigators will survey mental health wards nationwide, interview carers from three UK wards, observe ward practices, and talk to staff. They will use this information to create and share practical strategies to improve carer support across the UK.
Eligibility criteria
Qualifiers
Ward managers of mental health wards that provides care to PLWD
Ward managers from NHS wards that provides care to PLWD
Ward managers from private providers that provides care to PLWD
Ward managers that work on organic or mixed wards that provides care to PLWD
Disqualifiers
Functional older adult mental health wards that do not provide care to PLWD
Staff members who are not the ward manager
Family member (any relationship) or friend of a PLWD currently receiving care on a mental health ward
Aged 18 years old or above
Trial design
Treatments tested in this trial
- Not listed
Trial groups
Sponsors and collaborators
University of West London
Lead sponsor
University of Cambridge
Collaborator
University of Exeter
Collaborator