Dementia Strategy refresh 2013, Devon

Healthwatch Devon was approached via its Engagement Gateway with a view to enabling the engagement of service users, the public and carers in a “light touch sense check” of the strategy to inform a final draft update for consideration by the Devon Health and Wellbeing Board.

In discussion with the commissioner it was decided that Healthwatch Devon should facilitate a bespoke Focus Group, co-produced with the commissioning team. In designing the Focus Group process, Healthwatch Devon were mindful to take on board that this was a high level strategy which would be underpinned by more local and detailed action plans, and as such commissioners did not require a full consultation at this stage.

The findings from the focus group and community feedback was that further development and implementation of the Devon Dementia Strategy should be undertaken as a co-production between Devon County Council, Clinical Commissioning Groups, and key stakeholders in the voluntary community sector (including service users and carers).

Devon County Council and Clinical Commissioning Groups' remit should include a co-ordinating role to ensure better joining up and adding of value between the statutory bodies, providers, and the voluntary – community sector; an awareness raising and educational campaign - both for the public to increase their understanding of dementia, its incidence and recognition, diagnosis and treatment options, being more dementia friendly and specialist support available and secondly, targeting the clinical practitioners who come into contact with it e.g. GPs, health workers, social care assessors, personal budget co-ordinators etc.

It was also felt that more awareness and understanding would be helpful, as it helps the early diagnoses if there is higher awareness of the illness. Feedback also noted that Dementia is not well known in the Philippines. Some Filipino's working in care homes are working with people with Dementia and so are more aware of the illness, but cultural understanding needs to be addressed.

The cultural groups reported that when people go into hospital the food may be different to what they are used to and that some cultures may hide that there is a problem and don't access the help they need and require. When accessing a service some people may not ask for an interpreter because they don't realise they can ask for one. The group also suggested that when a family does not accept Dementia as an illness in the family or community, the guarantee of confidentiality from external services and building trust can be helpful.

The feedback and responses to the topics discussed in the groups are transcribed and recorded in the report and some suggested key messages have been included along with feedback from other stakeholders who are currently working on Dementia Friendly Community initiatives.