Agenda item

This report details the progress made towards H&F becoming a dementia-friendly borough.

The Board received what would be the first of three presentation about dementia and how the council provided support for residents and visitors to the borough diagnosed with dementia.  Jo Baty outlined that a second meeting would consider a draft strategy and action plan which would co-produced that involved input from the Dementia Action Alliance and the Alzheimer Society before final agreement at a third meeting. 

Stuart Downey outlined how his work in private practice as a solicitor supporting individuals and their families in dealing with mental health and capacity issues and his own personal experience of dementia had afforded him significant insight.  As Chair of the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA) he explained the key aim of the organisation was to encourage Hammersmith and Fulham  to be a dementia friendly society.  The scale of dementia was a huge issue affecting many people personally and professionally and H&F was unique in that it paid for home care provision for residents including those living with dementia.  There was significant statistical evidence to indicate that by 2030 the cost of health and social care within the Borough could amount to £105 million, at twice the expected rate of inflation. The number of residents currently in the borough diagnosed with dementia was 889 and this was expected to increase to 1800. 

An integrated, more holistic and innovative approach with wider community and voluntary support was advocated.  During this summer, a strategic group had been established to bring together representatives from across the borough to actively develop a network of support.  The group had looked for both quantitative and qualitative data to help identify a platform, a direction of travel and gain an understanding of existing providers within the borough, working with organisations such as Sobus.  Identifying existing strategies had not been straight forward and data had been unavailable as information had not been recorded. A different approach to dealing with dementia within the borough was needed to bring together people and services and deliver a more cohesive framework of support services.  A dementia friendly community would be a friendly community.

Kate Sergeant explained that this had been a collaborative process to date and although clinical input was required, much of the support would result from the social care community to address cross-cutting issues.  Dementia was a long-term illness spanning years, a serious diagnosis without a cure or effective medical treatment. A person with a dementia diagnosis was normally sent straight back out into the community to deal with the consequences of their diagnosis with little support. Similarly, for the primary carer of a person with dementia there were significant and challenging and an important part of the strategy would be to ensure support was provided for carers.

Peggy Coles outlined how working with people with dementia inspired workshops at Hammersmith Town Hall in 2016 which provided activities and advice.  Improving a local dementia offer required a dedicated and collaborative vision. She commended the borough for building on its mission to be a compassionate borough.  A challenge offered to the Board was that all member organisations became dementia friends, to consider how partners can collaborate and finally for GP practices to be dementia friendly.  The goal was for orgnisations to apply to be a dementia friendly company by 2022.

Councillor Coleman welcomed presentations and thanked contributors for their unyielding and tenacious commitment.   Members views were sought about one aspect that they would like to see improved by 2022 and what this might be.  The following points were made:

·       To raise awareness about dementia and services available for excluded communities, and to make these more accessible to minority groups;

·       To have earlier diagnosis and to improve the low rate of diagnosis through education and awareness of the signs to look out for;

·       Destigmatise the dementia diagnosis and to prevent discrimination. A more intergenerational approach was required that involved younger people in the borough;

·       To recognise that dementia was a mental health issue;

·       To ensure that those with dementia could access and receive palliative care support (Appendix 1, page 22 of the report);

·       Support for carers, including young carers specifically, needed expansion, many of whom were unpaid and unskilled and recognition that the carers allowance was insufficient;

·       Recognition that there were increasing numbers of single people in the borough and who live in isolation and a dementia diagnosis would have significant consequences for those lacking a support network;

·       Tailored support in terms of need;

·       To understand how the hospital environment feels for people with dementia and this can be improved;

·       The role of assistive technology in supporting people with dementia;

·       To develop a “wellbeing environment” suitable for those with dementia; and

·       For providers to improve communication and sharing information protocols to better facilitate contact carers and people with dementia.

RESOLVED

1.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board support the development and delivery of an integrated Hammersmith and Fulham Dementia Strategy between the local Council, the local NHS, the voluntary sector, our residents and businesses be agreed; and

2.    That the Health and Wellbeing Board agreed to support its members and constituent groups to become Dementia Friends.