Agenda item

Report by Executive Director, Adults and Health.

The strategy sets out the Council’s and Clinical Commissioning Group’s commitments and provides a framework for further action to ensure the realisation of the vision for dementia in West Sussex.

47.1   The Committee considered a report by the Executive Director, Adults and Health (copy appended to the signed minutes) which was introduced by Amanda Jupp, Cabinet Member for Adults & Health, Irene Loft, Senior Commissioning Officer, Margaret Bracey, Operational Clinical Manager for West Sussex Dementia Services, Ryan Tyler, Services Manager West Sussex for the Alzheimer’s Society, Tracey Wooldridge, West Sussex Clinical Commissioning Group who told the Committee: -

·       The strategy sets out how the Council and Clinical Commissioning Group aim to make West Sussex the best place to live for people with dementia with the support and help they need

·       From prevention to diagnosis there must be adequate and meaningful provision for those with dementia

·       Statutory and voluntary bodies as well as people living with dementia had been involved in writing the strategy

·       It was vital that health and social care worked together

·       Task and finish groups had been set-up to drive the strategy forwards identifying key areas in e.g. learning difficulties, alcohol abuse

·       The Council was looking at doing things smarter as there was no extra funding available

·       A review of the Memory Assessment Service (MAS) had led to a reduction in dropout rates and waiting times although these were still six to nine months

·       MAS referrals were constantly increasing and early diagnosis was a struggle, therefore the model was changing so that people were scanned at their first appointment

·       Many ways were being tried to increase diagnosis rates including working with GPs

·       Increased diagnoses would impact on social care

47.2   Summary of responses to the Committee’s questions and comments: -

·       It was important to raise awareness of the benefits of physical activity in preventing dementia

·       The delivery plan for the strategy will be out in autumn and will include details of timetable and budget for proposals

·       Dementia friendly training will be provided via dementia friendly communities

·       The Clinical Commissioning Group was currently helping to fund two positions in eight local dementia action alliances. Commissioners were working with district & borough councils to look at ways to help dementia friendly communities become self-sufficient.

·       The figure for the number of carers was out of date as the strategy was a long time in preparation and would be re-visited

·       Donations to dementia alliances came from local businesses as well as statutory bodies

·       There were four admiral nurses in the north of the county linked to GP practices who dealt with the more challenging cases with Carers’ Support West Sussex providing help for carers across the whole county

·       There were three Older persons’ Psychiatrists in the north of the county and several GPs helped with the MAS

47.3   Resolved – that the Committee: -

     i.        Asks that partners work together to ensure ‘Preventing Well’ is a particular priority within the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23 when considering its implementation

    ii.        Emphasises the importance of ensuring the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23 is embedded in the commissioning activities of partners

  iii.        Asks that the delivery plan of the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23 is shared with the Committee when available

  iv.        Seeks assurance that the messaging of the work within the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23 is robust

   v.        Requests that a focus on those living alone is part of any targeted work

  vi.        Highlights the role of the voluntary sector in the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23 delivery plan

 vii.        Asks for an increased focus on the role of the carer as part of the West Sussex Joint Dementia Strategy 2020-23