A reflection on the importance of standardised Dementia guidelines for intellectual disabilities: A clinical audit

Abstract

This paper discusses the outcomes of an audit of a Community Learning Disabilities Team (CLDT) dementia pathway in the North East. The audit results were reflected on by two assistant psychologists under the supervision of a principal clinical psychologist. 80 out of 128 recommendations of the NG97 National Institute for Health and Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines were deemed as not relevant to the CLDT. 45 relevant recommendations were met, three recommendations were deemed as both partially relevant and partially met. It was concluded that these findings highlight a need for intellectual disability-specific recommendations for more standardised dementia pathways within CLDTs.Easy to read summary■As individuals with intellectual disabilities (ID) are more likely to be diagnosed with dementia than the general population, it is important to undertake regular audits to ensure that services are delivering the best care in-line with clinical standards.■An audit of the NICE guidelines for Dementia was completed through team meetings of different professionals who work on a CLDT dementia pathway.■Out of 128 recommendations, 80 recommendations were not relevant to the CLDT, 45 recommendations were relevant, and three were partially relevant.■All the relevant recommendations were being met■It was concluded that there is a need for ID-specific guidelines to standardise dementia pathways within CLDTs.