Agenda item

Councillor Alun Williams explained that the purpose of the report was to scrutinise the outcome of the public engagement and the Implementation Plan developed and make recommendations if required to Ceredigion County Council’s Cabinet. A priority area for Ceredigion County Council was to develop a local dementia Implementation Plan to support the Regional Dementia Strategy. On the 6th of December 2022, Attain were appointed to undertake and facilitate engagement sessions to explore what actions were needed to support people living with dementia in Ceredigion. The engagement period took place over a 6-week period from 13.02.2023 to 31.03.2023. Over the engagement period, Attain spoke with a wide remit of stakeholders, from individuals living with dementia, their careers, and professionals from across Health and Social Care, including support networks in the 3rd sector. As part of this work, Attain developed a report and an Implementation Plan that would support Ceredigion County Council and Hywel Dda University Health Board (HDdUHB) to address some of the challenges and gaps identified.

Key findings from the finalised report suggested that the current number of people living with Dementia (PLWD) in Ceredigion was approximately 1,260 and by 2040, the predicted growth of PLWD ranged from 600 to 2000. An overview of the key themes, recommendations and next steps as noted in the report was provided.

Members were provided with the opportunity to ask questions which were answered by Officers present and Councillor Alun Williams. The main points raised were as follows:

·       The local authority worked closely with neighbouring local authorities via the West Wales Regional Partnership Board (WWRPB) to ensure there was a consistent approach to the delivery of dementia services and a large proportion of funding was accessed regionally.  To ensure the residents of Ceredigion benefited, there was an emphasis on the local delivery plan and consideration was given to the work ongoing with respite and day services too.

·       Members felt there were opportunities for the local authority and HDdUHB to work together to ensure dementia patients remained in their local communities. A new dementia residential unit at Hafan Deg Care Home, Lampeter would open shortly.  

·       It was acknowledged that the diagnostic rate regionally was very low, partly due to the lack of training GPs received to diagnose dementia. In addition, the public’s perception of the lack of support available following diagnosis was a key factor. A Dementia Connector role was being developed to support individuals on their journey. 

·       The Cabinet Member clarified that dementia was included in his role as Ceredigion’s Champion for Older People. He was not directly involved in discussions with the HDdUHB, but it was key that the local authority and HDdUHB worked closely at officer level along with the WWRPB.

It was noted that it had been recommended at a previous meeting that when an agenda item involved Hywel Dda University Health Board, Councillor Rhodri Evans as the elected member of the Board should be informed.

The Chair praised the number of organisations involved in the stakeholder engagement.

Following questions by the Committee Members, it was agreed to note the report for information and to recommend that Cabinet approve the Dementia Implementation Plan for Ceredigion, subject to:

·       Present the report to the Healthier Ceredigion Strategic Group and create an integrated Health, Social Care and 3^rd Sector Development Group to oversee the delivery of the implementation plan.

·       To communicate the initial findings of the engagement with the public, and to develop a Communication and Engagement Plan ensuring that the public were aware of the on-going progress relating to the delivery of the implementation plan.

·       To return to the Healthier Communities Overview and Scrutiny Committee with an Annual Progress report.