AQW 44157/11-15

Ms Claire Sugden
Independent
East Londonderry

Tabled Date: 24/03/2015
Answered On Date: 02/04/2015
Priority Written: No

Question:
To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety, pursuant to AQW 43490/11-15, to detail how people living with dementia, their families and carers, within the Northern Health and Social Care Trust, will benefit from the £6.25m funding provided through the joint Atlantic Philanthropies/Delivering Social Change Dementia initiative; and how the three work streams will be taken forward within the Trust.

Answer:

The Atlantic Philanthropies/Delivering Social Change Dementia initiative will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of dementia care for people in Northern Ireland, including those living in the Northern Trust area. It will support people living with dementia to maintain their independence and live well with the condition for as long as possible, and will also result in an improved understanding of dementia in wider society, with benefits in primary and secondary prevention and reduced stigma.

The initiative aims to ensure that people living with dementia and their carers will be better informed and have greater access to support and advice on care pathways, and feel empowered to seek that support as required. It will create a more confident and competent workforce and take steps to ensure on-going workforce development by employers, educators and professional bodies, while also enhancing the carers’ understanding of the condition, strengthening their coping mechanisms and building confidence.

The initiative will also develop a range of innovative alternatives to institutional services and create greater choice and access to support options for people with dementia and their carers. By building a network of supports, carers will be enabled to continue in their role as carers for longer.

The three workstreams are being taken forward on a regional basis by a project team working in close collaboration with all five Health and Social Care Trusts, and reporting to a Programme Board chaired by my Department.