Changi General Hospital staff visit Trust’s world renowned dementia care services

The team from Singapore - which included a nurse, physiotherapist, occupational therapist, and speech & language therapist - visited inpatient wards for older people, outpatient clinics, the Sutton & Merton challenging behaviour service, and home therapy sessions, seeing first-hand how the care and management of dementia patients is delivered.

They also visited the innovative Memory Clinic at Tolworth Hospital, which supports dementia sufferers and their friends and families, and provides treatment and medication that can slow the progress of dementia and make life a richer experience for those with the condition.

The team wanted to find out how the Trust runs these services, hoping to learn and adapt any good learning points to their health care system.

Dr Han Yanjia, Senior Physiotherapist at Rehabilitative Services Changi General Hospital said:

"We have learnt a lot from seeing dementia care services in the Trust.  The main learning points are how different dementia care is from dementia care services in Singapore.  We were particularly interested in seeing how staff manage difficult behaviour, how the care giver can be supported and educated, and how care is given at home. 

"We were also really keen to see the Memory Clinic at Tolworth Hospital.  We have learnt a lot which we will take back to Singapore and use to improve every aspect of our dementia care." 

Dr Deborah Stinson, Consultant Psychiatrist at Sutton CMHT for Older People at the Trust said:

"I am very pleased that our visitors from Singapore chose to visit our mental health services and especially our dementia care service which are highly regarded.  It was a pleasure to welcome them and introduce them to colleagues, and show them around our excellent services.

"It is important that we use opportunities like these to share our expertise in health care and innovative practices with health care colleagues around the world."

South West London and St George's Mental Health NHS Trust hosts many visits from colleagues in medical institutions around the world every year, who are keen to see and learn from our internationally renowned and innovative mental health services, and share areas of best practice.