In May, members of DaneAge visited Leeds on a study trip. Denmark has a population of 5 million people. Remarkably, 466,000 Danes belong to DaneAge, a truly multi-disciplinary organisation which enjoys the royal patronage of Her Majesty Queen Margrethe II, its Protector.
The organisation acts on behalf of older people and influences decision-makers (at both local and national levels) who can improve the quality of life for older people. The main aims of DaneAge are to promote equal citizenship of older people, autonomy, independence and dignified care.
The nine members of the association who came to Leeds included pharmacists,
They marvelled that despite a target culture and increasing bureaucracy, staff were energetic, enthusiastic and innovative |
physiotherapists, doctors, a social worker, a health economist, a researcher and an administrator.
Why they came
Our visitors wanted to gain an overview of elderly care in the UK. They wished to learn about patient pathways, recent changes in services, and see examples of good practice and patient involvement. The Danish Prime Minister is a fan of Tony Blair’s, so the visitors were keen to see what might be in store for them!
What we did
We organised a programme of formal presentations and informal meetings and discussions. Our chief executive began with a talk on the UK government’s policy on ageing. One of the Leeds PCT’s chief executives (Liam Hughes) spoke on community initiatives. We had excellent presentations on education (Oliver Corrado), the rise of old age psychiatry (John Wattis), the role of community geriatricians (Eileen Burns) and stroke (Jim Eccles). A local GP, Arnold Zermansky, gave an outstanding talk on old people in nursing homes. Our president, Jeremy Playfer, gave an inspirational address on the future of Geriatrics
The small group demonstrations and tutorials enabled the visitors to learn about a wide range of hospital and community initiatives in Leeds. These included the work of Age Concern, the role of community dieticians and pharmacists, community geriatricians, the community psychiatric nurse and the continence nurse advisor. They visited the stroke rehabilitation ward, met the stroke early discharge team, discussed ortho-geriatrics, learned about Evercare nursing, the falls clinic, intermediate care and joint care management. Some visited a nursing home to see long term care and intermediate care in action.
What they found
The Danish contingency found many similarities to their own system, but some important differences. They were astonished how British geriatrics had emerged from its humble beginnings to become such a major part of clinical medicine (in Denmark, the specialty is still quite small). They marvelled that despite a target culture and increasing bureaucracy, staff were energetic, enthusiastic and innovative – as well as being cheerful and optimistic. They were surprised at six-bedded bays – in Denmark, all wards have single rooms. The nursing home would not have passed their stringent rules on space – but the warm ambience made them enquire if they could put their names on the waiting list for a place!
| They were surprised at six-bedded bays - in Denmark, all wards have single rooms. The nursing home would not have passed their stringent rules on space |
The visit was enjoyable for the visitors and the hosts, who ppreciated the humour, informed questions and positive feedback from the DaneAge contingent. It made us realise how much had been achieved over the years and how far elderly care has come. It also reminded us of how many talented and committed people are involved in providing first class care for old people.
Finally, a note of thanks to Prof Alan Sinclair, who through his European connections put us in touch with members of DaneAge
Graham Mulley
St James’s University Hospital