Views sought on experience of delirium

To mark World Delirium Day [14 March] 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 thoughts with the 10,000 More Voices programme.

Eleanor Ross, Nurse Consultant at PHA, said: “Delirium is caused by a disturbance of brain function. It is used to describe a state of sudden confusion and changes in behaviour and alertness. It is very common and frequently occurs in patients in hospital with other problems. It is most common in people over 65 and those with pre-existing memory problems such as dementia.

“We want people who have had delirium at some point over the past year, and their carers, to share their experiences through our 10,000 More Voices programme, which aims to involve the public in shaping future healthcare services across Northern Ireland. Seeking people’s experience of delirium is currently in the focus of the initiative.

“Patient and client views and input are fundamental to ensuring that services are commissioned to deliver better outcomes for patients, their families and carers, so we really want to hear from people who have experienced delirium to help us develop how we care for this condition moving forward.

“The information we receive will help us to direct how health and social care is shaped and delivered in Northern Ireland.”

The 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.  

Seamus McErlean, Social Care Commissioning Lead, (Older People and Adults), at the Health and Social Care Board, said: “Delirium is a reversible deterioration in a person’s level of awareness, which can cause increased confusion, agitation or distress. It can be very frightening for the person with delirium and for family members who witness this sudden change. Extensive work has been carried out across all Health and Social Care Trusts to improve the quality of care for patients who experience delirium and their families. Family and carers are an essential resource in providing baseline information and supporting their family members.

“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.”

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