NSW Health developed a consultation liaison service to help providers assess and manage extreme behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD).

Most people with dementia experience behavioural and psychological symptoms, in addition to cognitive symptoms. These behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia (BPSD) can range from mild (e.g. apathy) to extreme (e.g. physical violence), and can significantly impact an individual’s overall wellbeing and the wellbeing of their caregivers. Providing care for people experiencing extreme BPSD is challenging for service providers and the healthcare system.

The NSW Health Specialist Tertiary Consultation Liaison Service Pilot for Extreme Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia (the pilot) was developed in response to a recommendation in the NSW Health Extreme Behavioural and Psychological Symptoms of Dementia Project Report.

The pilot, which began in September 2022, provides inpatient services in New South Wales with access to expert advice for the assessment and management of extreme BPSD.

NSW Health engaged AHA to evaluate the pilot. For this engagement we:

• developed an evaluation framework
• consulted with 147 people from 6 stakeholder groups, including the pilot team and services that referred patients to the pilot
• reviewed and analysed pilot data.

The evaluation provided NSW Health with important information about the pilot service, including:

• awareness and uptake of the services
• what worked well
• challenges and limitations
• the benefits and outcomes of the service.

The evaluation was completed in a tight timeframe of 3 months. Our final report included 12 recommendations that NSW Health could consider to inform future directions for the pilot service.