Tasmanian Health Service staff will receive innovative virtual reality training under a re-elected Tasmanian Liberal Government, ensuring those living with dementia stay safe and receive the highest-quality care.
Working with Dementia Australia, our Government will provide the training model, D-Esc, to staff across our four major hospitals and community nursing teams.
D-Esc is a workshop that provides virtual reality training on de-escalating behavioural emergencies related to dementia.
Minister for Health, Jacquie Petrusma, said it is estimated more than 10,600 people are living with dementia in Tasmania, and numbers are projected to increase to about 16,500 by 2054.
"Sadly, people living with dementia are twice as likely to be admitted to hospital, two to three times more likely to have an adverse event in hospital, and more likely to have longer hospital stays," Minister Petrusma said.
"That's why we're getting on with the job of providing more education and training for our Tasmanian Health Service staff.
"The innovative training, D-Esc, teaches staff how stress impacts a person living with dementia, helps them to recognise emotional and physical signs of escalation, and to apply person-centred de-escalation skills.
"This will reduce the risks of harm for both the person living with dementia and our valued health staff, as well as improve personalised care and quality of life for patients and support for their loved ones.
"While Labor and the Greens argue, we've been delivering better healthcare, more housing, and responsible cost-of-living relief.
"And we've got more to do.
"A majority Liberal Government is the only way to keep Tasmania moving forward with certainty, stability, and efficiency.
"Let's get on with it.
"Let's finish the job for Tasmania."
