Minister launches consultation on dementia services in Northern Ireland

Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, today launched a public consultation on dementia services in Northern Ireland.

The proposed strategy looks to address a number of key areas, including prevention; raising awareness and addressing stigma; access to early diagnosis; staged approach to care and support; improving staff awareness and skills and redesign of services.

The Minister said: “As the population throughout the developed world becomes older this is leading to a continuing increase in the numbers of people with dementia.

“I am committed to improving the health and social care services available to people with dementia and their families. This proposed strategy draws on best practice here and elsewhere and makes recommendations aimed at improving the services and support arrangements currently available.”

The proposals also recognise the impact that the new mental capacity legislation is likely to have on people with dementia when they are unable to make their own decisions.

Michael McGimpsey continued: “The proposals recognise the need to support the person and their carers so that, as far as possible, people with dementia can remain in their own home environment and maintain their independence.

“This strategy has been guided by the views and experiences of those living with dementia their carers, clinicians and professionals and it seeks to provide a range of flexible and responsive services.”

The Department has engaged the NI Office of the Dementia Services Development Centre (DSDC) to carry out a targeted consultation for people with dementia and their carers, including some public meetings. Further details can be found on the DSDC website http://www.dementiacentreni.org, or by contacting the DSDC on tel: 028 90737846.

The consultation documents are available on the DHSSPS website. Responses are invited by 31 August 2010.

Notes to editors:

1. The proposed strategy looks to address a number of key areas, including:

• Prevention - there is some scope to prevent or delay the onset of dementia and it has been estimated that delaying the onset of dementia by five years could halve its prevalence- this is mainly achieved through a healthy lifestyle approach and reduction in cardiovascular risk factors;
• Raising awareness and addressing stigma associated with the condition
• Access to early diagnosis, enhancing existing memory services to agreed standards to provide assessment, diagnosis, information and support;
• Staged approach to care and support as the condition progresses, with the aim of maintaining daily living and independence as far as possible;
• Improving staff awareness and skills to respond appropriately to people’s needs; and
• Redesign of services to provide care as far as possible in people’s own homes and avoid admission to hospital or care home.

2. The consultation document and response pro-forma is available at the DHSSPS website.

3. The purpose of this consultation document is to provide background and information on the proposed action to improve dementia services in Northern Ireland and to seek views on these proposals.

4. It is estimated that there are 18,000 -19,000 people in Northern Ireland with dementia, with most of them aged 70 or over. The figure could rise to 60,000 by 2051.

5. The Northern Ireland office of the Dementia Services Development Centre is an operational service of the Dementia Services Development Centre at University of Stirling. The Northern Ireland centre has received grant of £1.2million over a period of three years from the Department of Health, Social Services and Public Safety and The Atlantic Philanthropies. The centre exists to improve people’s understanding of dementia through provision of training and education, publications, information, and consultancy on the latest thinking in dementia care.

6. Media queries to DHSSPS Press Office on 028 9052 0074, or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 07699 715 440 and your call will be returned.