Talking to people about dementia: A focus on primary care

During 2016/17 Healthwatch Wiltshire carried out an engagement project focussing on primary health care for people living with dementia. This was prioritised because in previous dementia engagement people said they would talk to their GP first if they were worried about their memory and reported very varied experiences of this.

One workshop was held with focus group discussions, also targeted engagement visits to dementia café’s, dementia activity groups, day clubs, care homes and a specialist dementia hospital unit and some home visits were carried out. In total 195 items of feedback were gathered.

The report was presented at Wilshire’s dementia delivery board and Wiltshire’s Health and Wellbeing Board. The outcomes cited in the report included those below:

• Wiltshire Council and Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) Commissioners have acknowledged that inconsistency is a challenge for them. They are now developing a good consistent pathway for dementia diagnosis and ongoing support to be used across all GP practices, taking into account what people have told us.

• Closer working between GP practices and Dementia Advisers is being promoted. The provider, the dementia adviser service, has contacted all GP practices. They are developing more opportunities for dementia advisers to be working from GP surgeries, resulting in improved access to the service.

• A project is underway developing a ‘dementia roadmap’ of the dementia support that is available in the county. This involves local charities, Healthwatch Wiltshire and Wiltshire Council working together. Is will include clear information for the public and professionals about the process of getting a dementia diagnosis and ongoing support.

• Information about dementia services on the ‘Your care, Your Support Wiltshire’ website has been thoroughly reviewed and updated.