The Isle of Wight NHS Trust is seeking the views of members of the public and healthcare professionals to help shape the future of specialist inpatient dementia services on the Isle of Wight, with a series of drop-in events due to be held.
The Isle of Wight has agreed a long term dementia Strategy called “Living Well with Dementia” designed to improve and increase the services available for people with dementia. It recognises that a small number of people with Dementia will require specialist inpatient treatment and assessment; getting this service right for the future is an important building block for quality services.
Dr Michelle Legg, Clinical lead for Dementia & older people at Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) says:
“Dementia is predicted to become the biggest health and social care challenge of this generation. In the UK there are over 850,000 people living with dementia. With an ageing population the number is predicted to continue to increase by 40% over the next 12 years. The impact of dementia on the individual and their families is profound. Family carers are often frail older people themselves with high levels of depression, physical illness and a diminished quality of life.
“Age is the most significant known risk factor for dementia. After the age of 65, the risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease doubles approximately every five years. With 1 in 14 people over 65 and 1 in 6 over 80 having some form of dementia. So ensuring that we have the right provision on the Island for this challenging disease is important and we need the views of Islanders.”
The Island already has a unit called Shackleton based at St Marys Hospital in Newport. It is provided by the Isle of Wight NHS Trust and has 7 beds. The ward is very busy and when developed was only considered as a short term arrangement pending the development of a longer term solution. Shackleton at St. Mary’s is not suitable for use long term because it does not allow easy access to a garden, it is located in an old acute ward and some design compromises had to be made when the facility was set up. The predicted increase in people with dementia means that in the longer term facilities on the Island may need to be bigger.
Following initial discussions Isle of Wight Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG) are consulting on the future shape of this service, for example;
• How many beds should the service have?
• What is the best location?
• How should care be delivered?
The Isle of Wight NHS Trust have arranged for feedback by email, phone or via open events through which they would welcome people attending to share their views. These views will be compiled and a report with a recommendation at the end of the summer put to the Clinical Commissioning Group, who commission care for people on the Island.
You can download the document at www.isleofwightccg.nhs.uk/get-involved/public-consultations/help-shape-the-future-of-specialist-inpatient-dementia-services-on-the-island.htm which has more information, including on how to comment further.
Drop in sessions designed for those working in a related service (like health or social services) are being held on 23rd July 2015 in the School of Nursing , St Marys Hospital, Newport between 12:00 – 16:00 and on 20th August 2015 at the Riverside Centre, Newport between 15:00 – 17:00.
Public drop in sessions are being held on 23rd July 2015 at the School of Nursing, St Marys Hospital, Newport between 16:00 – 19:00 and on 20th August 2015, Riverside Centre, Newport between 17:00 – 19:00.
Beverly Malone, Dementia Liaison Nurse in the Memory Service at Isle of Wight NHS Trust says:
“Sadly very few of us will go through life without connecting to someone with Dementia either personally or professionally. Dementia is a global, national, and regional issue with huge cost implications. Locally, you have an opportunity for your voice to be heard in the shaping of provision for island inpatient assessment and treatment services.
“For some people with Dementia their journey is complex with distressing psychological symptoms, this vulnerable group of patients require specialist skills understand the complexities of their presentation and an ability to identify triggers for negative behaviours and strategies/interventions that are engaging, positive and where psychosocial rather than pharmacological interventions can be explored and practised. Specialist skills and the environment are key to positive engagement, minimising harm and distress and supporting them in moving back into community support.”
