Issue - meetings

(a)       That the commitment across Health & Social Care organisations to deliver integrated support to those individuals living with Dementia and the joined-up approach to service improvements in the future be noted;

(b)       That the development of an ‘Integrated Dementia Action Plan’ and its implementation over the next three years be noted, recognising that it is ‘work in progress’ requiring further agreements in terms of performance measurement and monitoring arrangements;

(c)        That Members seek regular progress reports through the regular quarterly monthly reports; and

(d)       That awareness of issues such as Dementia be encouraged across all the Council’s services.

The Chief Officer (Social Services) presented a report on the strategic approach being taken by Social Services in Flintshire and its partners within the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board (BCUHB) to deliver integrated health and social care services to individuals living with Dementia, their families and carers.  He said that the content of the integrated Health and Social Care Dementia Action Plan, which was attached to the report, went beyond the recommendations from the Care & Social Services Inspectorate Wales (CSSIW) inspection earlier in the year to deliver improved outcomes for those affected by Dementia.

The Commission Manager explained that the comprehensive Action Plan would be rolled out over the next three years and contained seven themes which linked with work already progressed on the Council’s Commissioning Strategy for Dementia.  The three recommendations arising from the CSSIW inspection were being addressed through the co-location of Health and Social Care teams, more effective use of Memory Services and the provision of EMI placements.  Reference was made to the extra care facilities in the county together with a range of service provision aimed at helping people to remain living in their own homes.  The Commission Manager outlined work with the North East Wales Carers Information Service (NEWCIS) and Dynamic Care on improved education and management of Dementia where 20 people had already signed up to take part on an e-learning rolling programme.

Mr Sean Page, Consultant Nurse (Dementia) of BCUHB said that good work on Dementia Services in social care had been acknowledged but that there was a need to move to partnership working with a shared philosophy.  The Flynn/Eley review had reported mixed results on integrated Health and Social Care systems across North Wales, with Flintshire recognised as an area where excellent progress had been made.  Mr Page outlined work in a number of areas such as the potential rollout of the ‘Dementia Red’ (Respect, Empathy, Dignity) model across North Wales following a pilot in Denbighshire and the identification of Dementia Champions.  On Memory Services, he was pleased to report that waiting times had been significantly reduced over the past year following improvements to the process and recruitment of additional staff.  Further improvements were being sought through plans to seek accreditation to work to nationally agreed standards; the first in Wales to do so.  In addition, the ‘Butterfly’ scheme had been implemented in community hospitals in Flintshire as a means of helping those with Dementia to communicate and access care.

On request from Councillor Andy Dunbobbin, the Commission Manager agreed to provide specific dates aligned to actions within the Action Plan.

Councillor David Mackie fully supported the joint approach being taken by Health and Social Care on Dementia and thanked all those involved.

Councillor Hilary McGuill welcomed the introduction of an e-learning programme for families of those with Dementia and asked how information could be obtained.  The Commission Manager said that details were available from NEWCIS on Dynamic Care and would circulate an email to the Committee.  On the Dementia  ...  view the full minutes text for item 17