South West Dementia Partnership
Living well with dementia bulletin
Living well with dementia across the South West
Welcome to the second bulletin of the South
West Dementia Partnership. The Partnership
brings together organisations from health and
social care, the voluntary sector and people
using dementia services to drive forward
improvements.
This issue provides features on Partnership
events, such as the Dementia Summit 2010
and the regional conference on improving
dementia care in general hospitals. We also
include updates on regional work to raise
awareness, improve dementia care in care
homes and develop an informed and effective
workforce for people with dementia.
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
Policy update
Ministers in the new government have
confirmed their committment to the National
Dementia Strategy and their desire that
implementation should stepped up a gear.
There will be further, important
announcements in July. The priority areas will
be early diagnosis, care homes, hospital care
and reducing the use of antipsychotics.
These are all areas we are already focussing
on in the South West.
Singing for the brain: Dementia
Summit looks to the future
Launching a major event by getting everyone
on their feet for a rousing song or two may
sound more football than NHS, but that was
precisely how the highly-
successful South West
Dementia Partnership Summit
2010 began at Taunton
Racecourse in April.
Robert Hurst bravely led from
the front as more than 100
delegates from health and
social care and from the
voluntary sector were invited to
try 'singing for the brain', as
Living well with dementia bulletin Issue 2 June 2010

developed by the Alzheimer's

Society to help people live well
with dementia.

The Summit was chaired by

Professor Jane Gilliard,
National Dementia Strategy
Programme Manager for
Implementation.

Sir Ian Carruthers, OBE, Chief

Executive of the South West
Strategic Health Authority and a
member of the National
Dementia Implementation
Board, set out the region's
commitment to improving
dementia care ahead of the
A detailed joint review of dementia services
national strategy's five-year timetable.
has already been carried out across the South
West, revealing areas of excellence but also
inconsistencies. Action plans have been
drawn up by each Primary Care Trust and
He said that success would mean a revolution local authority.
in the way dementia care was provided by the
public sector, in care homes and in people's
homes. Clinical champions for dementia have been
identified in hospitals across the South West,
and there has been scrutiny of all NHS
Sir Ian added that innovation meant sharing organisations' dementia services as part of
best practice and re-shaping systems around their operating plans. The regional clinical
service users and carers. This would require leads for dementia care in general hospitals is
passion, pace and drive. Alison Moon alison.moon@ubht.nhs.uk.

As well as presentations and workshops, the You can download presentations, view photos
summit included a 'Dragons In The Summit and watch videos of the Summit at
Den', with a specialist panel considering www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk/im
proposals from teams. plementation/summit/

www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk 2
Living well with dementia bulletin
Monitoring and measuring
delivery
Implementation progress: review of local
action plans
The National Implementation Plan stresses
importance of high-quality local action plans in
implementing the National Dementia Strategy.
Each South West community was asked to
submit an action plan following an appraisal of
their progress in the summer of 2009.
We have produced a report designed to
provide a helpful benchmark for local
communities to assess the strength of their
existing action plans. Good progress in
delivering the National Dementia Strategy
relies on the effective project management of
good action plans.
The report presents the findings of a review of
these action plans and identifies the key
themes for local communities to consider. It
begins by examining the overall structure and
the detail of the plans and then compares
activity by each objective of the National
Dementia Strategy.
Download:
➔ South West regional review of local action
plans– full report (PDF 2 MB)
Progress of demonstrator sites
The National Dementia Strategy requires an
improved evidence base about the
effectiveness of two service models proposed
within objectives 4 and 5. There are four
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
dementia demonstrator sites in the South
West region: Bristol, Cornwall, Somerset and
Torbay.
Objective 4 – enabling easy access to care,
support and advice following diagnosis
Bristol
In this project, three dementia advisor posts
are working alongside two dementia support
officers that are current being piloted in Bristol.
The addition of the three advisor posts allow
for full evaluation of the two different roles and
to understand which has the most benefit or
whether both have a place within the city. The
two support officers are currently working
within two practice based commissioning
consortia in Bristol. The three advisors will
cover the three remaining consortia, to ensure
that every person in Bristol has access to a
named dementia officer.
For more information contact Emma Bird
Emma.bird@bristolpct.nhs.uk
Somerset
In this project, Dementia Advisers are a
‘mobile’ resource and work within a range of
settings across Somerset, including: GP
practices, Active Living Centres, a one stop
shop approach linked to memory assessment
services and Mental Health and Learning
Disability community based teams.
For more information contact Mel Lock
malock@somerset.gov.uk
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Living well with dementia bulletin Issue 2 June 2010

Objective 5 – development of structured peer sought to address poor public understanding

support and learning of dementia.

Cornwall

This project seeks to marry two exciting forces Adverts featuring people with dementia
for change. First, a grass-roots energy that appeared across television, radio, press and
has seen a spontaneous flourishing of online.
community-owned Memory Cafes established
across the county in the last year. Second, a
strategic drive and commitment from Cornwall
Council and the Primary Care Trust to develop
and improve services for people with
dementia and their carers that are individually
tailored to local needs. The project seeks to
capitalise on the relationship between building
sustainable communities and developing
dementia peer-support groups.

For more information contact Tryphaena

Doyle
Tryphaena.doyle@ciospct.cornwall.nhs.uk

Torbay

This project aims to develop an evidence base

for effective peer support through a memory
café model, which is able to meets the needs
of all population groups.
For more information contact Ann Redmayne
ann.redmayne@nhs.net
The campaign forms part of measures to
implement Objective 1 of the National
Dementia Strategy: improved public and
professional awareness and understanding of
dementia.
For more information :

➔ Call 0300 123 1915 and request a copy of

Knowledge management and
communications
The more we understand, the more we can
help
The national dementia awareness campaign
ran from 01 to 05 March. The campaign, run in
partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society,
the campaign information pack
➔ Download the information leaflet
➔ Read ‘Five simple ways to help someone
living with dementia’
➔ Visit the NHS Choices dementia web
pages
➔ Visit the Alzheimer’s Society website

www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk 4
Living well with dementia bulletin
Dementia Awareness Week 4-11 July 2010
The theme of Dementia Awareness Week this
year, is Remember the person. Throughout
the week, the Alzheimer's Society is
encouraging people to look beyond dementia
and understand that everyone living with
dementia is still an individual. A number of
awareness events and fundraising afternoon
teas are planned across the South West.
The Alzheimer's Society has produced a
'Remember the person' leaflet which has
ideas on how to befriend and support people
living with dementia and their families. To
download copy, or to find out more about
Dementia Awareness Week visit
www.alzheimers.org.uk/remembertheperson
The South West Dementia Partnership will be
marking the week by publishing the results of
a survey launched last year to gain a better
understanding of the needs of people with
dementia and their carers in the region. The
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
survey results will be published, along with an
update from the Partnership on the progress
made in delivering the objectives set by the
National Dementia Strategy. The update and
results, along with local case studies will be
printed across all the South West newspapers
owned by Northcliffe Media, including the
Exeter Express & Echo.
Website
We are continuing to develop the South West
Dementia Partnership website at
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk to
keep you up to date with progress in
implementing the National Dementia Strategy
across the region. If you have information
about innovative practice, a forthcoming event
or news item of interest then please send it in
to rowan.purdy@swdc.org.uk or call Rowan to
discuss it on 07852175374
Involving people with dementia
After being unsuccessful in recruiting a project
manager for user involvement first time
around, the Alzheimer's Society has now
recruited a project manager two days a week
for the next two years, and are hoping that
she will be able to start in July. The postholder
will work to set up a framework across the
South West to ensure that users' voices are
heard and can be instrumental in shaping and
influencing the delivery of services for people
affected by dementia.
As a person with dementia commented:
“
We've only got dementia - we're
not stupid and being involved
”
helps us.
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Living well with dementia bulletin Issue 2 June 2010

We will announce the project manager’s name

and contact details in future editions of this
bulletin and on our website.

Launch of films by people with dementia

On 12th April Innovations in Dementia

launched four films made by people with
dementia living in the South West who wanted
to help spread the message that although a
diagnosis of dementia may be life-changing, it
is not life-ending.

Three of the short films were made by people

living in Exeter, and the fourth by the Forget-
me-Not group in Swindon.

These are not just films about dementia, they

are a testament to the energy, positive
approach and creativity of people living their
lives with dementia.
➔ The films are available to view, or to
download via the Innovations in Dementia
website
http://www.innovationsindementia.org.uk/v
ideos.htm.
Early diagnosis
Memory services
The South West Dementia Partnership has
agreed as a priority the development of
improved memory assessment services to
enable a year on year increase in the rates of
diagnosis of dementia.
Improved rates of diagnosis are required as
the South West has the highest ‘diagnosis
gap’ in England. That is the difference
between the estimated prevalence of
dementia in the population and the number of
people with a diagnosis of dementia.
The target agreed across the South West is a
minimum of 60% diagnosis rate, from the
estimated prevalence within Primary Care
Trust/Local Authority population, by 2012/13.
This ambition forms part of the agreed set of
metrics for the implementation of the National
Dementia Strategy in the South West.
The National Audit Office Reports in 2007 and
2010 have focussed on the need to achieve
improvement in rates of diagnosis through
development of accredited memory
assessment services.

www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk 6
Living well with dementia bulletin
It is recognised that memory assessment
services differ widely in their organisation,
funding, staffing and levels of service. They
are also currently changing and adapting to
meet growing demand.
We undertook a baseline survey during May
to develop a clear picture of current memory
assessment services and diagnosis rates for
each Primary Care Trust / Local Authority
across the South West at the start of 2010/11.
The survey examines planning, access and
quality assurance of memory assessment
services by secondary care providers.
An analysis of this information has been
undertaken and will be reviewed by the
Memory Assessment Expert reference Group
on 25 June.
The baseline position provides a very useful
platform on which to build on a regional
approach to specifications, standards and
accreditiation.
The survey findings will be posted on the
website. For more information contact
Stephen Thorpe
stephen.thorpe@swdc.org.uk.
Improving dementia care in
general and community hospitals
Regional conference
The South West regional conference on
improving dementia care in general hospitals,
jointly organised by the South West Dementia
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
Strategy Group and the British Geriatric
Society, was held at Exeter Racecource on
Tuesday 26 January 2010.
The conference brought together leads for
improving dementia care in hospitals from
acute and community hospital settings to
consider how to develop and measure an
effective process of change based on practical
examples from across the South West.
Conference delegates also sought to identify
how to align this agenda with Trusts’ corporate
and performance management priorities
across the region.
The conference was chaired by Derek
Dominey, Chair of the Development
Committee, Bristol and South Gloucestershire
Branch of the Alzheimer’s Society. Tarun
Solanki, Consultant Physician, Taunton and
Somerset NHS Foundation Trust, provided an
introduction to the day before moving onto the
plenary session, group work and the
innovative practice workshops.
➔ The presentations from the plenary
session and the innovative practice
workshops are available to download at
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.u
k/implementation/hospital-care-
conference/.
➔ In addition, you can download a
document which summarises the
discussion from the delegate workshops:
Local experiences, progress and
constraints; Aspirations and ideas for
supporting progress.
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Living well with dementia bulletin Issue 2 June 2010

This is me This initiative is supported by the Royal

College of Nursing. For more information
‘This is me’ is a leaflet by Alzheimer’s Society
about ‘This is me’ or to obtain a copy, visit the
to help hospital staff better understand the
Alzheimer’s Society website
needs of people with dementia. The leaflet
www.alzheimers.org.uk/countingthecost.
provides professionals with information about
a person with dementia to help enhance the
care and support they receive whilst in an
The University Hospitals Bristol NHS
unfamiliar environment. It is not a medical
Foundation Trust will pilot the use of ‘This is
document.
me’. For more information on this pilot contact
‘This is me’ provides a ’snapshot’ of the Adrian Ruck, Head of External Relations, by
person behind the dementia and helps telephone on 0117 342 3751 or by email to
hospital staff to learn about the person’s Adrian.Ruck@UHBristol.nhs.uk.
habits, background, likes and dislikes. This
form can be completed by the person with
dementia or their carer with help from the Workforce development
person with dementia where possible.
Training and education

Through a joint project with the Department of

➔ Download it from the Alzheimer’s Society Health (DH), Great Western Ambulance
website.
Service NHS Trust (GWAS) aims to improve
the quality of the pre hospital and urgent care
to individuals with dementia and their carers.

GWAS has recently published a report that

presents the findings of a survey of all GWAS
patient-facing staff, asking them what they
thought were the challenges they faced when
interacting with patients who have been
diagnosed with dementia.

The survey found that ambulance crews are in

frequent contact with people with dementia
and that crews want information about
dementia, how it affects people and how best
to support and communicate with this patient
group.

www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk 8
Living well with dementia bulletin
Working with GWAS and South Western
Ambulance Service NHS Trust we have
produced introductory guides which provide
basic information and point ambulance
clinicians in the direction of where to find out
more.
We are also working with Royal Cornwall
Hospitals NHS Trust to adapt the introductory
guide for use with hospital staff.
The guides have been positively received.
Find out more and download them at
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk/im
plementation/ambulance-leaflet/
Living well with dementia in care
homes
Improving dementia care in care homes
We have produced a discussion paper that
draws together a lot of evidence about care
homes in the South West. It highlights how
managers, staff, commissioners and care
home inspectors can contribute to improving
the quality of care in care homes.
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
It is intended as a resource to inform,
challenge, prompt and promote ways to
improve the experience of people living with
dementia in care homes.
The discussion paper has six sections looking
at care homes in the South West from a
number of different perspectives, and sets out
action people might take to improve the
quality of care.
The final section includes self assessment
tools to help people to reflect on what they
should or could do to improve care for people
with dementia. The tools provide sets of
“Questions to ask yourself”, designed for care
home managers and providers, health and
social care commissioners and care home
inspectors.
Download:
➔ Improving care in care homes in the
South West – full report (PDF 2 MB)
➔ Self assessment tool for care home
managers and providers (PDF 44 KB)
➔ Self assessment tool for commissioners
(PDF 44 KB)
➔ Self assessment tool for inspectors (PDF
44 KB)
In the coming weeks we will be sending a
letter to all older person and dementia care
homes in the South West with information
about best practice and where to find
additional advice. Work to explore the
feasibilty of a regional demenitia quality
"kitemark" and to develop a possible model
begins in July. This is attracting a high level
of interest and support
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Living well with dementia bulletin
Dementia: A guide for care home managers
and providers
Improving quality of care given to people with
dementia in care homes is a key national and
regional priority. Although there are some
excellent care homes there are also some
concerns.
Supporting and caring for people with
dementia is complex and demanding.
Achieving good care in a care home requires
relentless energy, enthusiasm and clear
leadership.
We have produced an introductory guide
which provides information about best practice
based on work in the South West and points
you in the direction of where you can find out
more. The guide should be read in conjunction
with the leaflet for care home staff.
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
Download:
➔ Dementia: A guide for care home
managers and providers (PDF 1.3 MB)
Dementia: An introductory guide for care
home staff
Two thirds of older people living in care homes
are likely to have dementia yet many care
home staff know little about dementia and how
it affects people. This can lead to major
problems when trying to provide care and
support.
There is a lot of good information available.
We have produced an introductory guide to
give care staff some basic information and to
point people in the direction of further advice.
Download:
➔ Dementia: An introductory guide for care
home staff (PDF 1 MB)
10
Living well with dementia bulletin
Person centred support plan for people
with dementia
We have produced a person centred support
plan which aims to enable and support the
person living with dementia in a care home to
be as self-reliant and in control as they can
be.
The plan was developed in response to
concerns by inspectors that care plans were
not person centred and often failed to highlight
risks arising from people’s physical and
mental conditions.
The plan has two parts:
1 My support plan – at a glance – a top
sheet which provides a snapshot for quick
reference.
2 My support plan – in detail – this draws
upon the theories of Tom Kitwood who
proposed that improving social
psychology provides the greatest
opportunity to enhance the experience of
people living with dementia.
Completing this type of support plan may take
3 to 4 weeks initially, while staff get to know
the person and seek information in order to
build up a picture. Over time more and more
will be learnt about the person and can be
added to the plan, and revisions made in
response to changing needs.
Download:
➔ Person centred support plan for people
with dementia (PDF 1 MB)
➔ Person centred support plan for people
with dementia (Word 1.7 MB)
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
Issue 2 June 2010
Medicines management and
prescribing
Improving the administration of medicines
in care homes
The Department of Health issued a safety
alert (DH ALERT(2010)001) on 6th January
2010 requiring Primary Care Trusts with
primary medical care contractors, providers of
pharmaceutical services and social care
partners to review the safety of local
prescribing, dispensing, administration, and
monitoring arrangements in the provision of
medication to older people in care homes and
establish a plan for effective joint working in
the future, including auditing on-going
progress. All of the Primary Care Trusts
across the South West are making significant
progress with this and some examples are
shown below.
Plymouth City Council working in partnership
with NHS Plymouth has won a Great British
Care Award for its Dignity in Care Home
Forum. One of the strands of its work was to
provide additional support to care homes for
safe medicines practice including a critical
incident report process to encourage learning
from errors and share the learning from these
through the forum.
NHS Bristol are leading a project on this as
part of their quality, safety and productivity
work and are working closely with general
practitioners to improve medication safety in
care homes through a local enhanced service
and multidisciplinary review of care home
patients. They are developing a training
package with the University of the West of
England and are also trialling a partnership
with a commercial provider to improve the
safe use of medicines in care homes.
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Living well with dementia bulletin
NHS Cornwall is working across agencies and
involving community pharmacy in reviewing
care home patients through clinical medication
reviews. They have produced an interim report
showing the results of reviewing 758 residents
of care homes jointly by their general
practitioner, a pharmacist and a senior carer
responsible for administration in the home.
518 interventions were made for 68% of
patients. Safety was significantly improved for
More information
If you would like to give us feedback, send us
examples of good practice or ask a question
please contact us via
rowan.purdy@swdc.org.uk.
The South West Dementia Partnership
website
www.southwestdementiapartnership.org.uk
provides further information about
implementing the strategy along with
examples of innovative practice.
The National Dementia Strategy
website www.dementia.dh.gov.uk provides
access to the latest national policies and
research findings.
The Dementia Gateway
www.scie.org.uk/publications/dementia/
A partnership to promote living well with dementia
Issue 2 June 2010
43 of the patients, moderately improved for 81
patients and slightly improved for 237. A
significant amount of prescribing and wastage
was addressed with savings from this
amounted to £4 per patient per month.
An order of prescribing for dementia caee will
be implemented by the South West Strategic
Health Authority in September 2010
produced by the Social Care Institute for
Excellence(SCIE) offers high quality
information, video and training programmes.
The Alzheimer’s Society website
www.alzheimers.org.uk offers a wide range
of fact sheets, studies, discussion forums,
advice and sources of support.
Regional leads
➔ David Francis, Policy Implementation
Project Manager for Dementia, Quality
and Carers, Department of Health South
West david.francis@dh.gsi.gov.uk,
01179003567, 07909914710
➔ Kate Schneider, Programme Lead,
Mental Health and Wellbeing; Dementia,
South West Strategic Health Authority,
kate.schneider@southwest.nhs.uk,
01823361227, 07973732766.