Dementia master plan for the region

DH West Midlands, councils, local health authorities and the JIP, have embarked on a number of initiatives to develop and raise standards of services for people with dementia.

Achievements to date include:

• establishment of a whole system approach for implementation of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) and the Darzi Dementia Pathway - the plan for delivering a seamless dementia service, involving all key stakeholders across the region and linking with other key policy and economy initiatives such as end of life care and telecare
• developing the infrastructure to disseminate good practice and steer development via the West Midlands ADASS Social Care Dementia Leads and Strategic Health Authority Dementia Commissioners Group, overseen by the Regional Dementia Strategic Steering Group
• providing support to two Dementia Advisor Demonstrator sites, and establishment of a regional network
• setting up an Acute Hospital Care Project to define a clear pathway through the health system for people with dementia . Clinical champions and leaders will also be identified
• baseline regional demand and capacity informing next stage developments
• Skills for Care dementia event and subsequent workforce development programmeregional agreement to conduct a dementia peer review exercise across health and social care to assess implementation of the NDS in all localities
• introduction of the primary care liaison worker to improve access to the dementia care pathway.
  

Work on the NDS is linked closely to other regional work streams including:

• Dignity in Care Campaign
• National Carers Strategy
• Valuing People programme
• ADASS Older Peoples Network
• Transforming Social Care and Personalisation
• Physical Activity Network – Older People Programme.

A regional business case for dementia has been agreed in principle with the JIP outlining planned activity for the forthcoming year. These are:

• dementia peer review across health and social care
• extra care housing event
• Early Intervention and Prevention Project – collaborative work focusing on compassionate communities, health and wellbeing
• public health campaign developing the ‘strapline’ and raising awareness of the intimate carer project, and securing the workforce.

Contact: Philipa Shreeve, telephone: 0121 3525449, email: philippa.shreeve@dh.gsi.gov.uk