1 week Ago
A group of healthcare professionals from Singapore visited Greater Manchester to learn about the region's successful approach to delirium care. Their month-long study focused on how the area's health and care services collaborate to provide early diagnosis and at-home support for delirium, a severe and sudden state of confusion. This proactive, community-focused strategy has significantly reduced hospital admissions and improved outcomes for those affected.
Delirium can impact individuals of all ages, but it is more prevalent among the elderly, particularly those with dementia. If not managed promptly, it can result in extended hospital stays, increased complications, and a higher chance of needing long-term care. To address these challenges, Greater Manchester adopted a pioneering, community-first approach to allow early diagnosis and treatment at home rather than in hospitals.
Dr Lim Jun Pei, consultant in geriatric medicine at Tan Tock Seng Hospital (TTSH) in Singapore, elaborated on their choice of study location. He said: "We visited Greater Manchester to see how delirium is addressed across different care settings. "We were particularly interested in how various care providers work together to improve delirium detection and management, from patients' homes all the way to hospital care.
" Greater Manchester has become a leading example in England for its progressive and integrated delirium care model, making substantial progress in community-based detection, prevention, and management. Their initiatives include the Greater Manchester Community Delirium Toolkit, which has been essential in keeping delirium patients out of hospitals and providing prompt care in familiar settings. The region also raised awareness within local communities through a multilingual delirium advice leaflet available in 16 languages.
This initiative helped families identify early signs and seek help promptly. In Stockport, 97 percent of patients received an urgent assessment within two hours from the urgent community response team, with 88 percent of those showing signs of delirium supported safely at home, thereby avoiding hospital admission. Hospitals such as Wythenshawe and Royal Bolton introduced digital screening tools for faster detection of delirium, leading to quicker interventions and improved patient outcomes.
During their visit, the Singaporean team interacted with various stakeholders, including individuals with lived experience, and NHS leaders, to gain insights into the impact of delirium and effective support measures. Dr Lim Jun Pei applauded the region's efforts, stating: "We have been inspired by the passion and collaboration between those affected by delirium and the teams working to improve care. "We are also incredibly grateful for the warm hospitality we've received.
" The visiting clinicians were given the opportunity to learn directly from people with lived experience of delirium, gaining a deeper understanding of the real-world impact of the condition and the support that makes a difference. Dr Manisha Kumar, chief medical officer for NHS Greater Manchester, welcomed the delegation's interest. She said: "We are immensely proud that our work in Greater Manchester is gaining international attention.
"Our goal has always been to improve how we recognise and care for people with delirium, keeping them well at home whenever possible. "It has been great to host colleagues from Singapore and share knowledge on improving community-based delirium care.".
