Issue - items at meetings - Update on Dementia Services

77.1Anne Foster from the CCG and Simone Lane, Commissioner for Dementia, gave an update report on dementia services in the city. The report and appendices gave an update since the previous report to HWOSC in December 2012.

77.2Since the report had been written there had been further progress:

Ø      The Memory Assessment Service had been launched and would take self referrals from the end of August. The service is provided by a partnership of organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, who will offer care and support post-diagnosis.

Ø      The Butterfly Scheme, a carer-led training scheme, is being rolled out across both BSUH sites

Ø      The Care Home In-Reach Service has been reviewed and is now funded on a sustainable basis.

77.3Members asked about the ‘This is Me’ bag and its contents.  Ms Lane said that it was full of the person’s key documents including the RCN/and Alzheimer’s ‘This is me’ leaflet which is designed to provide professionals with information about the person with dementia as an individual

77.4How is work progressing against the National Dementia Strategy?

Ms Foster said that the local plan is in line with the National Dementia Strategy. The establishment of the new Memory Assessment Service was a key milestone as this enables more people to get a diagnosis as early as possible and provides greater opportunity for early intervention and support. The standard in the contract is that there to be no more than a four week wait for an assessment at the Assessment Clinic.

77.5Members asked whether everyone in certain care homes had dementia.

Ms Foster said that with the number of people with dementia increasing because of an aging population more people with dementia are in mainstream care homes rather than specialist care homes. A key part of the approach to improving care is to ensure it is part of everyone’s business. This involves training and development of generic staff such as care home staff as well as providing specialist support example the Care Home In-Reach team.

77.6    Members agreed to note the report, with an update to return to HWOSC in twelve months if needed.