To present the findings from the Living Well with Dementia Strategy engagement process for consideration, comment and approval of proposed changes to the strategy, based on the feedback received.

Claire Taylor, WCC Commissioner presented the findings from the Living Well with Dementia Strategy engagement process. The Board was asked to consider the feedback and approve proposed changes to the strategy, based on that feedback.

The strategy was being refreshed for the next five-year period. Following a period of engagement from early September to the end of October 2021, the feedback had been collated into two reports, one capturing responses from 85 stakeholders and one from over 220 people living with dementia and their carers through a range of in-person engagement opportunities. The reports were being reviewed and the feedback would be used to further develop the strategy. The intention was to publish the strategy in Spring 2022. It would be a system document across health and social care in Coventry and Warwickshire delivered in partnership with the voluntary and community sector.

A presentation was provided to supplement the report giving a summary of the key findings from the engagement undertaken and how these findings would be used to develop the strategy and associated delivery plans.

Questions and comments were submitted, with responses provided as indicated:

• The Chair noted the robust consultation undertaken.
• Nigel Minns commented about the prevalence of dementia in black people and the minimal feedback from this cohort. Given the focus on inequalities, it was questioned if more could be done to target engagement and support. Joint work could be undertaken and often it was not about dementia specific services, but more about cultural appropriateness of services. An outline was provided of the methods used to engage and there was increasing data available, but more could be done.
• Councillor Roodhouse had expected a larger number of respondents. He referred to the changing demographics, the expectation of increasing dementia cases and need for more engagement. This was a slight disappointment, but the richness of the feedback was good. He then spoke on the priority of reducing the risk of dementia and dementia friendly communities, which there was a lack of awareness about. This could be a focus for the subsequent delivery plan, given the likely increase in dementia cases over the next 5-10 years. From feedback, he drew comparison to other services and the lack of public awareness of them. The Chair asked if HWW could assist in reaching some groups. He agreed and there was similarly an opportunity through elected members, parish, district and borough councils as well as the local ‘place’ groups. This could include a refresh of the dementia friendly communities and he reiterated the predicted increases in dementia cases.
• Sarah Raistrick spoke about links to health services and opportunities to engage and work collaboratively. She was pleased with the preventative aspects touching on early treatment of blood pressure and diabetes to reduce risks of vascular dementia. NHS services were monitored on the prevalence and diagnosis of dementia. Coventry and Warwickshire historically had a lower prevalence than would be expected. She touched on the targets for dementia diagnosis asking whether achieving this statistic was a priority for the local system. Providing good services to those diagnosed with dementia was important.
• Stella Manzie referred to loneliness for people with dementia especially those who lived alone and it was exacerbated over the Christmas period. It was important that the delivery plan was completed to detail what would be done to address the priorities identified.
• Nigel Minns explained that terms and conditions were included in contracts to encourage people to become volunteers or to take up dementia training.  He asked if partners on the board would also consider this to give a local system approach. On NHS targets, he agreed it was important that people diagnosed with dementia got the support they needed and that those who had not received a diagnosis were also supported.
• Councillor Matecki touched on the end-of-life aspects and the importance of early engagement to seek to ensure the person’s wishes were complied with.
• The Chair had received an email from the Alzheimer’s Society raising concerns for people with dementia admitted to the local hospital trusts. This had been forwarded to each of the trusts for a response. It concerned admission and visiting arrangements, discharge and keeping carers informed. The responses from the trusts would inform the delivery plan.
• The Chair recapped on the points raised during the debate. She asked when the draft delivery plan for the first period would be submitted to the Board for consideration, asking that this was referenced in the strategy too.
• Claire Taylor had noted the feedback provided and would circulate a response on how this had been taken on board.

Resolved

That the Health and Wellbeing Board:

1.          Comments as set out above on the findings from the engagement regarding the Living Well with Dementia Strategy.

2.          Approves the proposed changes to the strategy based on the feedback from the engagement.

Endorses the approvals process prior to publication of the strategy, with the addition of approvals for the delivery plan being included.