1. Training Report on the 5 day training of Community Nurses prior to their employment in the Memory Assessment Service

2. Training aims To provide a sound basis for clinical practice within a Memory Service To meet the national requirements for training Memory Service staff –Royal College of Psychiatrists: Memory Services National Accreditation Programme To reflect the changing requirements for an effective Memory Service To reinforce the competence and confidence of selected mental health nurses

3. Training content Academic and legal issues –dementia; memory; national and trust policies Assessment –Addenbrookes Cognitive Examination (revised) –administration, interpretation and reporting Counselling skills –pre- and post-diagnosis Management –time, case-load, audit and research

4. Training modalities illustrated lectures (6) guided reading (4) facilitated discussions (9) reinforcing exercises (5) written assessments (2) interactive experiences (9) reflective periods (4) and lots of laughter

5. MTWT F 9:00Assessment introduction Operational Issues Operational Issues Operational Issues Operational Issues 9:45 - 10:40 National and Trust policies and guidelines Research and development of the ACE-R Basic counselling skills MemoryAssessments & treatments for dementia 11:00The dementiasAdministering the ACE-R Post-diagnosis counselling Memory failure in dementia Reporting 11:45 – 12:40 The dementiasWriting a guide to the ACE-R Breaking bad news MemoryReporting issues 13:30Case studiesACE-RPost-diagnosis counselling History takingEndings 14:15 – 15:10 Family cases impact ACE-RPost-diagnosis counselling History takingReporting to MTD 15:30Impact of dementia Scoring and Interpreting ACE-R History taking (Core assess) CounsellingSummary of course and revision time 16:15 – 17:00 Summary & Reading ATD Summary & Reading Fronto-temporal Summary & Reading Vascular Summary & Reading Lewy Body Assessment red Assessment; orange Lecture; yellow Exercise; green Practical; blue Summary; purple Discussion

6. Results

7. Feedback I can honestly say that I have never been on any trust training that has been as stimulating /interesting and as well taught as this one. Probably the best devised and facilitated learning I have taken part in. It was a brilliant week - educational, stimulating and also very enjoyable. A valuable experience which will enhance our practice.