Dementia Crisis Team

The Dementia Crisis Team is an innovative service set up to support people with dementia and their carers who live at home. The service is intended to enable people to remain in their own homes and reduce unnecessary admissions into Medway Maritime Hospital.

The service can provide

• short term support and home treatment for challenging behaviour and physical problems (i.e. infection or after a fall where emergency services are not required)
• assessments of patients’ current physical and mental health needs
• supporting carers and enhancing their skills
• support early discharge of patients admitted to Medway Maritime Hospital or Kent and Medway NHS and Social Care Partnership Trust (KMPT) ​​​​through managing the patient at home and supporting the carer
• signposting to other services when necessary
• provide training and support in the management of dementia and acute exacerbation of the condition to community nursing teams and care homes.

When to refer

• carer stress or breakdown
• physical problems affecting the dementia that can be managed at home
• challenging behaviour
• to prevent unnecessary admissions and to enable earlier discharges

Referral criteria

The dementia crisis support service will be available to adults with a diagnosis of dementia or who are in the process of a diagnosis being made. Patients must also be registered with a Medway GP. Referrals can be made by a GP, health professional or carer.

How to refer

Enter details into our online form or call 01634 583423 (Monday to Friday, 9am-5pm)