Dementia care plan backed by councillors

Members of Wakefield Council’s cabinet yesterday backed proposals made as part of a far-reaching scrutiny review, conducted by the authority’s social care and health scrutiny committee.

The report lays out 14 recommendations with specific actions to support improvements in the care and treatment of people with dementia, focusing particularly on improving support in the wake of a dementia diagnosis and improving hospital care.

It also seeks commitments to improve early diagnosis and to improve support to carers.

The chairwoman of the committee, Coun Betty Rhodes, said: “Dementia is one of the greatest challenges facing our aging society.

“Our inquiry found some excellent practice but also identified areas for improvement. We believe care services locally have made good progress in ensuring that people with dementia and their families are treated with the dignity and respect they deserve.

“However, the scale of the challenge cannot be overstated, particularly in the present economic climate. Innovation and doing things differently, sharing ideas and resources will be essential.”

NHS Wakefield District’s Director of Commissioning, Jo Webster, added: “Locally we’ve had several projects highlighted as best practice by the national peer review of dementia care.

“These include Wakefield’s Memory Service which provides access to assessment, diagnosis, treatment and support for people with dementia, and our peer support networks, including five Forget Me Not cafes which focus on listening to what peer support people with dementia want and responding to that need.

“We want to build on these successes and ensure local dementia services are timely, easy to access and provide the best possible care and experience.”