The Committee will receive an update on the progress of the Dementia Strategy.
Minutes:
The Committee received a presentation on the Dementia Strategy and its progress from the Locality Lead at the Clinical Commissioning Group Havering. The strategy was built around a number of statements from which indicators were collected. These included:
“I was diagnosed early” – The Committee was informed that the current rate of diagnosis was 57% which whilst an improvement on last year (47%) there was always scope for improvement. Members asked what 100% would mean in actual figures. It was stated that this would be approximately 3000 people. The target for 2016/17 was 67%. A number of initiatives were being put in place in increase the number of diagnosis, including Housebound Flu checks, Bi-annual coding exercise and iPad tool into three of the largest practices to identify patients. There was a lot of work to be done with GP’s as this was the biggest area where diagnosis was poor.
“I understand so I make good decisions and provide for future decision making” – The Committee was informed of a survey of carers that had been carried out in hospitals. The survey included questions about the care received, further information being offered and if the support was adequate to the relative’s needs. The Committee was informed that data on the number of users accessing Age Concern Services was a new indicator and therefore there was no comparable data.
“I get the treatment and support which are best for my dementia and my life” – The Committee was informed that there were 40 care homes with Dementia Champions and 50 organisations in the Dementia Action Alliance. The Havering CCG was encouraging outstanding GP practices to sign up to the Dementia Action Alliance (DAA), however any organisation can be part of the DAA. A number of banks had signed up to the DAA in recognising if withdrawals have taken place in previous days and then the customer returns to withdraw again.
“I am treated with dignity and respect” - The Committee was informed that the CCG would commission all future service with the requirement to include a dementia element as standard. There were consultations with the Phlebotomy service in redesigning the service for those with dementia, since the waiting time for the service was more difficult for someone with dementia.
The CCG would be ensuring that the Care Plans on the Health Analytics were shared between all local acute trusts so that this was a smooth transition between departments. This is particularly pertinent in A&E so that patients are known to have dementia before being approached by a clinician.
Members asked what the regional figure was in conjunction with the national figure of people living with dementia. Officer explained that in Havering the biggest factor was the ageing population.
The Committee discussed the different types of dementia and how sport, music and recreation can help to reminisce. Officers stated that there needed to be more prevention in place. The answer was not always a pill, active lifestyles, diet, nutrition and social networks all helped. As did reducing the stigma of dementia.
The Committee thanked officers for a very informative presentation and felt that there were a number of areas that could be used in its topic group.