The Admiral Nurse Role in UK Hospice Care: A Satisfaction Survey Evaluation to Explore Carer Experiences

Dementia is an increasingly common condition among the older population. It is characterised by multiple cognitive deficits leading to decline from premorbid level of functioning. In 2015 it was estimated that there were over 850,000 people in the United Kingdom (UK) living with dementia and approximately 7,000,000 family carers of people with dementia in the UK. Carers are finding themselves providing increasing amounts of care and support for their loved ones, often independently. Whilst carers find that providing support can have its rewards, it is more the case that it can be challenging and have an impact on their psychological and physical health, and can change existing relationships. It can be extremely exhausting and isolating and, additionally, be at great personal financial cost to them. The aim of this paper is to introduce an Admiral Nurse two year project established in a hospice in the West Midlands, supported by Dementia UK, a national charity often seen as the voice of dementia in the UK. It briefly describes the clinical context of this service and how an independent evaluation was commissioned with a local University to identify the impact of this service from a clinical, operational and strategic perspective. As part of the evaluation strategy, a survey of carers who had used the Admiral Nurse service was conducted. This paper will focus upon the survey and its outcomes and will consider: how these help professionals to appreciate the complex support needs of people with dementia; inform the developing Admiral Nurse’s role; and help professionals to think about future hospice services and their client populations. The paper will end with conclusions and recommendations relating to the lived experiences of family carers and the Admiral Nurse’s role and its position in future care and support of patients with dementia.