Closure of the Admiral Nursing Service in NCL

The dementia specialist Admiral Nurse service based within North Central London Training Hub was launched in December 2022 with a two-year initial contract. I am sorry to inform you that the service will be closing on 29th November 2024.

During the past 14 months, the NCL Admiral Nurses supported four carer groups and case managed over 170 families with some of the most complex dementia care needs.

The team’s bespoke training programme, initiated in February 2023, delivered dementia education to over 1560 front-line and clinical staff working in primary care services across Barnet, Camden, Enfield, Haringey and Islington.

Unfortunately, due to difficulties securing long-term funding, we are unable to continue the service going forward and therefore find ourselves in a position of closing the service 1 month earlier than the end of the initial contract end date. The decision not to extend the service into year three has been a difficult one and we recognise the invaluable contribution, dedication and support that the Admiral Nurse team have provided to families affected by dementia.

Please note that, as a result of service closure, referrals into the Admiral Nursing service are no longer being accepted and will be returned to sender unseen.

After the closure of this service, families affected by dementia can still speak to an Admiral Nurse on Dementia UK’s free national Helpline. Please encourage them to call 0800 888 6678 (Monday to Friday 9am-9pm, Saturday and Sunday 9am-5pm) or email helpline@dementiauk.org Alternatively, families can book a free phone or video call at a time that works for them in our Admiral Nurse virtual clinics. Find out more at dementiauk.org/book-a-virtual-appointment/ They can also access information and advice at www.dementiauk.org/get-support

If you are an NHS or social care service/provider and have any questions about the closure of the service, please contact laura.lucas2@nhs.net

Sincere thank you to all colleagues and stakeholders who worked so hard with us to integrate and expand the service and for their generous support and time.

If you want to see more information please see here