Views sought on experience of delirium

The Public Health Agency (PHA) and the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB) are urging people who have had experience of delirium during the past year to share their experience through the 10,000 MORE Voices programme to help shape how care is delivered in Northern Ireland.

10,000 MORE Voices is a PHA initiative which gives people an opportunity to provide feedback on their experiences of accessing Health and Social Care services by asking them to ‘tell us their story’. The information received helps to highlight areas that require additional focus for improvement.  

Mary Hinds, Director of Nursing and Allied Health Professions at the PHA, said: “10,000 MORE Voices aims to involve the public in shaping future healthcare services across Northern Ireland. The initiative acknowledges that patient and client contribution is fundamental to ensuring that services are commissioned to deliver better outcomes for patients, their families and carers.”

Delirium is deterioration in a person’s level of awareness, which can present in increased confusion, agitation or distress. It can be very frightening for the person with delirium and for family members who witness this sudden change. It is caused by an acute disturbance of brain function; it is very common and frequently occurs in people who become medically unwell, in people over 65, and those with pre-existing memory problems such as dementia. With the correct strategies, it may be prevented and reversed.

Seamus McErlean, Commissioning Lead for Older People and Adult Services at the Health and Social Care Board (HSCB), said: “Extensive work has been carried out across all Health and Social Care Trusts to improve the quality of care for patients and their families who have experience of delirium. Hearing from individuals, their family members and/or carers will be beneficial as we continue work to improve our services and the experiences of individuals who have experienced a delirium.”

“The information we receive will help us to direct how health and social care is shaped and delivered in Northern Ireland. If someone you care for has had experience of delirium in the past year – then 10,000 MORE Voices would like to hear your story,” concluded Mary.

You can tell your story by completing a survey at www.10000morevoices.hscni.net.