Issue - meetings

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an updated version of Stockport’s dementia strategy for 2017 – 2020 includes actions to improve support for people with dementia and their carers in relation to prevention, diagnosis, services, living well in the community and end of life.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Maureen Hughes on 0161 474 3199 or email: maureen.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

Nicole Alkemade, Commissioning Lead for Older People at Stockport Clinical Commissioning Group and Maureen Hughes, Project Manager within Adult Social Care at Stockport Council, attended the meeting to present Stockport’s Dementia Strategy for 2017 – 2020 (copies of which had been circulated) that set out actions to improve support for people with dementia and their carers in relation to prevention, diagnosis, services, living well in the community and end of life.

The Executive Councillor (Health) (Councillor Tom McGee) also attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The Scrutiny Committee had previously undertaken a Review into the support for carers and this work had informed the development of the Strategy.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         Many carers were older people who were often reluctant to ask for help. Sharing information with other carers was often a good way of sharing information, as was providing a single point of contact would be useful, and not being over reliant on digital services was important. In response, the value of the drop-in sessions was emphasised as it gave the opportunity for face-to-face contact. Providing information in a range of media was also recognised.

·         Clarification was sought on the future funding available to support groups, as concerns had been raised during the Scrutiny Review by some of these groups. In response it was stated that funding would not be removed, but it was important to ensure this resource was used effectively and to target those areas of greatest need. Additional funding had been secured to support the expansion of the drop-in groups and the CCG had committed resources to post-diagnosis support.

·         Promoting physical activity as a means of improving overall health and wellbeing could have a beneficial effect on those with dementia.

·         There had been a suggestion in the press recently that magnetite particles, found in diesel emissions, might be contributor to the development of dementia. In response it was stated that there was as yet no clear evidence to confirm such as link but the national Dementia Strategy had committed to improving research on the causes of dementia.

·         There was no mention in the Strategy about deprivation and how to address inequalities in access or outcomes. In response it was stated that establishing drop-in arrangements in priority areas had been identified as a need, as well as finding better ways of engaging with the BME community.

·         The Strategy recognised the importance of opportunities for respite, but there was little mention of the benefit of providing activities that were fun for people with dementia and their carers. What more could be done for people without a formal diagnosis? In response it was stated that the value of the Dementia Action Alliance would be to make accessing everyday activities, including those for fun, easier for those with and without a diagnosis. It was further commented that the importance of a diagnosis was that it would provide people with a clear path to getting the support they may need.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted and that Nicole Alkemade and Maureen Hughes be thanked for their attendance.

To consider a joint report of the Executive Councillors (Adult Social Care) and (Health)

This is an updated version of Stockport’s dementia strategy for 2017 – 2020 which includes actions to improve support for people with dementia and their carers in relation to prevention, diagnosis, services, living well in the community and end of life.

The Executive is invited to endorse the Strategy.

Officer contact: Maureen Hughes, 07800618818, maureen.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A joint report of the Executive Councillors (Adult Social Care) and (Health) was submitted (copies of which had been circulated) inviting the Executive to consider the Dementia Strategy for 2017-2020 that sought to improve support for people with dementia and their carers. The Strategy sought to facilitate the development of a range of activities that would make Stockport a Dementia Friendly community.

It was highlighted that Dementia Awareness Week would be 14-20 May 2017.

Executive councillors welcomed the Strategy and the focus on prevention and the recognition of the importance of co-production with user groups.

RESOLVED – That the Dementia Strategy 2017-2020 be endorsed.

To consider a report of the Corporate Director for People.

The report provides an updated version of Stockport’s dementia strategy for 2017 – 2020 includes actions to improve support for people with dementia and their carers in relation to prevention, diagnosis, services, living well in the community and end of life.

The Scrutiny Committee is recommended to comment on and note the report.

Officer contact: Maureen Hughes on 0161 474 3199 or email: maureen.hughes@stockport.gov.uk

A representative of the Corporate Director for People submitted a report (copies of which had been circulated) providing an updated version of Stockport’s dementia strategy for 2017 – 2020 includes actions to improve support for people with dementia and their carers in relation to prevention, diagnosis, services, living well in the community and end of life.

The Executive Councillor for Adult Social Care (Councillor Wendy Wild) attended the meeting to respond to councillors’ questions.

The following comments were made/ issues raised:-

·         The use of community based drop-in sessions outside of statutory buildings was an encouraging development to try and engage with those people who did not necessarily accept that they had symptoms of dementia.

·         It was suggested that publicity around the drop-in sessions could be improved.

·         A variety of options were being considered on how best to provide support to carers.

·         There were a number of locally based support schemes for dementia patients and their carers, however there was often an insufficiency of volunteers to maintain and support them.

·         While the single biggest risk factor in dementia was age, there were other factors which could be mitigated against including leading a healthier lifestyle. 

·         There were already a number of high quality support groups in Stockport, and signposting dementia patients and their carers to these existing groups was important.

·         The Scrutiny Committee expressed its support for the excellent work being undertaken.

RESOLVED – That the report be noted.