Health Minister, Michael McGimpsey, has 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 telephone: 028 90737846.

The consultation documents are available on the DHSSPS website at http://www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/current_consultations.htm responses are invited by 31 August 2010.


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.
  
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