Agenda item

Councillor Alun Williams (Cabinet Member for Through Age and Wellbeing) explained that the Regional Dementia Strategy had been developed by the West Wales Care Partnership (WWCP) Regional Dementia Steering Group. WWCP brings together organisations from the statutory, third and independent sectors with a remit of integrating and transforming health, care and support in the region. Funding provided by Welsh Government (WG) funding was managed through the Dementia Steering Group and would be instrumental in delivering agreed priorities within the Strategy. A Population Needs Assessment recently presented at Cabinet indicated an increase in the number of people aged 80+ due to the post-war baby boom reaching this age and so this strategy would be key in moving forward. An overview of the WWCP Dementia Strategy was provided to the committee, with reference to the current provision, best practices, feedback from structured interviews with stakeholders and carers and the approach to implementing the dementia wellbeing pathway.

Donna Pritchard referred to the Next Steps from a regional and county perspective. Regionally, 6 work streams had been identified which included Community Engagement, Hospitals and Training and Recruitment. There was representation from the local authority on all work streams. It was noted that well-being connectors would work in the community and would work closely with Porth Cymorth Cynnar. The local authority had secured funding from WG to commission consultants to support developing a plan to deliver the key outcomes noted in the strategy.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Donna Pritchard. The main points raised were as follows:

·     Members welcomed the paper and noted that it was key to ensure members in the community received the best care.

·     Given the current economic climate, concerns were raised about how the strategy would be implemented. It was noted that an in-depth mapping of services was crucial to understanding what provision was already in place in the county and whether they continued to be fit for purpose. There was a regional focus at present, but the local authority was in the process of developing a service specification, which would hopefully be completed by 31.03.23. Following this, the work would be able to progress at a county level.

·     Members felt strongly that day centres which were severely impacted by Covid-19 were a lifeline for people who cared for loved ones. Work currently being undertaken at Canolfan Padarn, Canolfan Meugan and Hafod had been impacted by a lack of materials. At present, there was currently no timeframe to re-open the buildings. Reassurance was provided that everyone who received support from staff in the centres continued to receive support.

·     In response to a question related to whether there were enough places in the county’s residential care homes for dementia care and respite care, it was noted that homes were managing people with far more complex needs than in the past. Wrap-around services were being developed to support people to live at home and a 6-bed wing dedicated to dementia care was in the process of being developed at Hafan Deg, Lampeter. Dependent on its success, similar wings would hopefully be developed in other homes in the county. EMI nursing was the biggest challenge and opportunities to develop this was being looked at. 

·     Concerns were raised that respite care and day centres were not available locally for families which results in people travelling further afield and spending more time on buses rather than in day services. Transport proved challenging in Ceredigion due to its rurality, but the aim was to make services more accessible for people. The utilization of community facilities and current resources was suggested.

·     The importance of ensuring patients with dementia received support in their first language was highlighted.

·     In terms of staffing, there were difficulties recruiting and retaining social care staff nationally, and therefore this area would need to be looked at.  A dementia training programme would be developed for staff who provided support for people with dementia.

·     In extensive review of how services including day centres and residential care provision were delivered across the board in Ceredigion was due to commence, which would provide a platform for the next 5-10 years.

Following questions by the Committee Members, it was agreed to note the report for information and the following recommendations to Cabinet prior to approval:

1.  The importance of ensuring the preferred language of service users was considered in the service provision

2.  Utilization of current resources including buildings

3.  Suitable transport and ensure service provision was as local as possible

4.  The importance of day centres available locally to service users