John’s Campaign: supporting family and friends to provide care in hospitals and other care settings
The dementia support group John’s Campaign has recently had to change its website and email addresses to overcome what we’ll call technical difficulties with its web server provider.
That’s a real nuisance for the group, but a good opportunity to remind carers about the purpose and activities of this UK-based organisation.
What is John’s Campaign?
John’s Campaign advocates for the rights of people with dementia to be accompanied by their family caregivers in hospitals.
It was founded in the UK in 2014 by Nicci Gerrard and Julia Jones, following the experience of Nicci Gerrard’s father, Dr John Gerrard, who suffered from dementia and declined significantly after being separated from his family during a hospital stay.
Today John’s Campaign is also working with care homes.
What does John’s Campaign ask for?
The campaign wants to work with hospitals and care homes to provide:
- Family access: Ensuring that people with dementia have the right to be accompanied by their family caregivers in hospitals, care homes, and other healthcare settings.
- Person-centred care: Recognising the vital role of family members in providing emotional support and continuity of care.
- Policy change: Encouraging hospitals and care facilities to adopt open visiting policies for dementia patients.
- Better outcomes: Reducing confusion, distress, and decline in dementia patients by allowing familiar caregivers to be present.
Has it been successful?
John’s Campaign has significantly influenced hospital policies across the UK by advocating for the rights of people with dementia to be accompanied by their family caregivers during hospital stays. This movement has led to widespread adoption of more flexible visiting policies in numerous hospitals and care facilities.
By 2015, over 1,500 hospitals and residential homes had pledged support for John’s Campaign, demonstrating a nationwide commitment to welcoming family carers and acknowledging their vital contribution to patient well-being.
In 2016, NHS England endorsed John’s Campaign by incorporating its principles into the Commissioning for Quality and Innovation (CQUIN) payment framework. This endorsement encouraged healthcare providers to facilitate family and carer involvement in the care of individuals with dementia, further embedding the campaign’s objectives into national healthcare policy.
John’s Campaign is also taking part in the UK Covid Inquiry.
How can John’s Campaign help you?
If you are struggling to visit your family member or friend living with dementia while they are in a hospital setting or a care home, it’s worth visiting the John’s Campaign website to find out whether that organisation has signed up to the John’s Campaign pledge.
You can also contact the hospital or home directly as they may have a dementia specialist nurse or other individual who can help you inform staff who may not know about the organisation’s policy on visiting.
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