Agenda item

The Board received a presentation by Michele Clarke and Jo Forrestall (DCCG) which provided an update on progress with the Dementia Programme.

Key topics highlighted included:

• The various awareness campaigns co-ordinated by Public Health throughout the year;
• It was reported that diagnosis rates had fallen from 73.2% in February 2020 to 63.6% in June 2021.  The national ambition was a diagnosis rate of 66.6%.  There was also a decreased number of patients on dementia registers, the reasons for which were summarised;
• Diagnosis Recovery Plan, including the actions and recommendations highlighted in the Dementia Deep Dive 2019;
• Dementia Pathway approach – diagnosis, assessment and treatment;
• Post diagnostic care and support;
• Post diagnostic services; and
• Links to Ageing Well.

In answer to a query as to whether the funding of the Admiral Service would continue beyond March next year, Jo Forrestall explained that there were no plans to pull any funding at this stage, but the aim was to look at all elements of services provided across the whole of the Dementia pathways in order to avoid duplication and ensure that people received the support they needed at every stage, i.e. both pre and post diagnosis.

Dr Rupert Suckling felt that this was an example that highlighted the need to address the question of how to balance strength based against deficit based models.  He added that he was always concerned when diagnosis was needed in order to unlock support services when, in reality, people needed support whether they had a diagnosis or not.  On the latter point, Jo Forrestall stated that this was where the pre-diagnosis support was so important.

In reply to a question from Councillor Nigel Ball regarding data comparisons with South Yorkshire neighbours in relation to diagnosis rates, Michele and Jo confirmed that diagnosis rates across the country had declined and were all at very similar rates.  They confirmed that they would be happy to circulate some comparative data to Board members.

Phil Holmes referred to the work currently being undertaken on the Carers Strategy and he felt that this could assist in raising awareness of dementia and the needs of people with dementia and their carers, as dementia was likely to feature prominently as a theme in the Strategy.

Dr David Crichton confirmed that the issue of people being able to access help and support for dementia prior to receiving a formal diagnosis was acknowledged by the CCG as a priority area and currently being looked at.  He also stressed that it was sometimes difficult for GPs to detect the early signs of dementia in people as these could be very subtle in nature and difficult to detect, but the earlier that support could be given to people the better.

Lucy Robertshaw reported that the Arts and Health Board that she sat on was currently looking at dementia and, in particular, how cognitive stimulation using the Arts could help people with dementia.

Cath Witherington highlighted the need to also consider the mental health and wellbeing of carers, family members and neighbours of people with dementia.

It was then

RESOLVED to:-

1)            Acknowledge the Dementia Programme and its approach to increasing dementia diagnosis rates to ensure people receive the right care and support;

2)            Acknowledge the proposed approach to improving the dementia pathways for Doncaster residents; and

3)            Utilise Board members in future awareness campaigns through their respective partner organisations to assist in improving early diagnosis rates.