Councillor Wendy Brice-Thompson, Cabinet Member for Adult Social Services and Health, introduced the report

Cabinet was informed that at its meeting on 9 September 2014 the Individuals Overview and Scrutiny Sub-Committee agreed to establish a topic group to scrutinise the different stages of diagnosis, how assessments were carried out and the support in place for people living with dementia.

The Topic Group concluded its investigations after five meetings and reported its findings to the Sub-Committee at its meeting on 22 September 2015.

The report before Cabinet identified the pre-diagnosis of dementia, the assessments that were carried out to identify memory loss and the support that was in place for people living with dementia.

During the review, the Topic Group had noted the process for referrals from GP’s to the memory service currently administered by the North East London NHS Foundation Trust (NELFT) and the Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG).

The report noted the training and education that was available to GP’s to ensure early diagnosis of possible dementia together with other symptoms which could cause memory loss.  

The Topic Group also explored best practice in the borough’s care homes in supporting residents living with dementia.  The report identified a number of recommendations for NELFT, the CCG and Adult Social Care to implement.

Reasons for the Decision

Under the Local Government and Public Involvement in Health Act 2007, s. 122, Cabinet is required to consider and respond to a report of an Overview and Scrutiny Committee within two months of its agreement by that Committee or at the earliest available opportunity.  In this case, Cabinet was required to do this at its meeting on 18 November 2015.  Cabinet is also required to give reasons for its decisions in relating to the report, particularly in instances where it decides not to adopt one or more of the recommendations contained within it.

Other options considered:

None.  There are no alternative options.

Before Cabinet came to its decision, Members expressed the view that the record should show their appreciation for the work undertaken by the Overview and Scrutiny Topic Group and that in addition to noting its report, Cabinet should endorse its findings and commend them to the appropriate body for implementation.

Cabinet:

1.            Noted the report of the Topic Group and thanked it for its excellent work.

2.            Confirmed and supported its recommendations and referred them to the Health and Wellbeing Board for implementation.