Agenda item

To consider a report of the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development  providing an update on the progress of the Leeds’ draft Dementia Strategy – Living Well with Dementia in Leeds (2012-2015) and an overview of work to date and future plans for dementia-friendly Leeds. 

Referring to Minute 21 of the 25^th July 2012 meeting, the Head of Scrutiny and Member Development submitted a report providing an update on the progress of the Leeds’ draft Dementia Strategy – Living Well with Dementia in Leeds (2012-2015) and an overview of work to date and future plans for dementia-friendly Leeds.

Appended to the report were copies of the following documents for the information/comment of the meeting:-

·  Living Well with Dementia in Leeds – Our Local Strategy (2012-2015) – Consultation Response to Draft Strategy (Appendix 1 refers)

·  Dementia-friendly Leeds – Report of Director of Adult Social Services and Director of Public Health – Executive Board – 9^th January 2013 (Appendix 2 refers)

The following representatives were in attendance:

-  Councillor Christine Macniven (Chair) – Leeds Dementia Board

-  Mick Ward (Head of Commissioning) – Leeds City Council, Adult Social Services

-  Tim Sanders (Integrated Commissioning and Transformation Manager, Dementia) – NHS Leeds and Leeds City Council

At the request of the Chair, the Head of Commissioning briefly outlined the background issues and informed the meeting that a number of useful comments made at the July 2012 meeting had been incorporated within the Draft Strategy.

The Integrated Commissioning and Transformation Manager, Dementia provided the meeting with a summary of the key issues contained in the Executive Board report discussed at the meeting held on 9 January 2013. Specific issues raised included:

• Dementia Strategy and action plan due to be presented to the Dementia Board on 30 January 2013;
• Short-term grant funding for over 20 neighbourhood networks and other third sector partners to support work around dementia;
• Double capacity with the Council’s peer support service;
• Additional carer support worker at NHS Leeds

Councillor Macniven also addressed the Board and welcomed the fact that the Clinical Commissioning Groups (CCG’s) were setting targets towards the outcomes of dementia in Leeds and highlighted proposals for the Rothwell area to work towards becoming a dementia friendly area, building on the work already undertaken in the dementia friendly café in the area.

Members of the Scrutiny Board discussed the information presented and issues around dementia in general.  In summary, specific reference was made to the following issues:

·  Explicit support for carers within the overall strategy;

·  Costs and funding (both short and longer-term), associated with implementing the finalised strategy and supporting delivery plan;

·  Early diagnosis and targeted screening across the City;

·  Raising awareness of the ‘Dementia Friendly City’ aspiration – and the practical implications;

·  The impact of increased diagnosis and demand for services;

·  Issues associated with staff awareness and training around dementia, not just across the health and  social care sector;

·  The role of advocacy work, including the power of attorney, to help support dementia suffers.

The Scrutiny Board noted that many of the issues raised at the meeting would be incorporated within the finalised strategy and delivery plan and that discussions were on-going between Leeds City Council and its partners around funding issues.

In concluding discussions, the intention to report back to the Scrutiny Board the finalised strategy and delivery/ action plan was noted.  It was suggested that following receipt and consideration of the finalised documents, the Scrutiny Board might then identify any particular or specific areas on which to focus in the future.

RESOLVED-

a)  That the contents of the report and appendices be noted.

b)  That the Director of Adult Social Services be requested to submit a  further report to a future meeting, presenting the finalised Leeds’ Dementia Strategy and Action Plan.