Issue - meetings

Cabinet received a report which sought approval for the Strategy for People with Dementia and their Carers.

Councillor Fitzgerald introduced the item and detailed the multi-agency approach proposed within the report. He explained that a range of visual aids and reading materials would be provided within the strategy and that £250,000 had been invested. The Councillor further advised that a Dementia Centre was due to open next month.

The Head of Commissioning for Older People, Physical Disability and Sensory Impairment highlighted a number of points including:

·         There were two keys area of development. One was the development of the Resources Centre, the other was raising awareness and providing people with the skills to spot the signs of dementia; and

·         The project was being recognised on a national level.

Comments from Members and responses to questions included:

·         The level of involvement with carers and appropriate users was impressive and training and capabilities of staff;

·         New services were being introduced regarding psychiatric care as part of a system wide approach; and

·         Promotion would be undertaken with Dementia Action Alliance alongside community engagement and a Community Engagement Strategy.

The Executive Director for Adult Social Care, Health and Wellbeing advised that awareness for the strategy was growing. The challenge with the strategy resulted from the disease often existing parallel to other conditions. It was important that all staff in care services were training and an Improvement and Audit was to be set up to monitor this.

Cabinet considered the report and RESOLVED:

To approve the Strategy for People with Dementia and their Carers for adoption.

REASONS FOR THE DECISION

The adoption and implementation of the Strategy would clarify how Peterborough City Council would work with the Cambridgeshire and Peterborough Clinical Commissioning Group to improve outcomes for people living with dementia and their carers through a strategic commissioning approach.

In turn this would support the development of a wider range of community support, improved support, more integrated approaches to support and to more effective management of the local market for dementia support.

ALTERNATIVE OPTIONS CONSIDERED

Not adopting the Strategy would mean that the Council’s approach with the Clinical Commissioning Group to improving support for people with dementia and to developing Peterborough as a Dementia Friendly City would not be clearly stated.  This would have a negative impact on service development and on effective market management.