AMBULANCE bosses in the West Midlands say the introduction of dementia training has had a hugely positive impact on the care that 999 staff give patients.

The government has just announced that all NHS staff are to receive such training within four years.

Julian Rhodes of the West Midlands Ambulance Service, said: “We noticed some years ago that the number of patients who were calling 999 with dementia was rising rapidly.

“Two years ago, as part of our regular review of education, we started developing a course that over 2,000 of our frontline staff have now undertaken.

“Staff have told us that the additional knowledge has proved invaluable for ensuring we are able to provide each individual with the right sort of care.

“There has been a lot of interest from other ambulance services in what we have been doing so we are confident that all services are taking action on this hugely important area of patient care.

“We feel this has been an important step forward and I am certain other NHS staff will welcome the opportunity to learn more about this important condition.”