Health and Wellbeing Board	16 March 2022
Report of the Manager, Healthwatch York

Healthwatch York Reports: Dementia Support – Listening to Carers of People Living with Dementia in York

Summary

1. This report aims to help shape the dementia strategy in York, sharing Healthwatch York’s work looking at the experiences of people caring for those living with dementia in the city.

Background

2. Healthwatch York works with partners to explore the challenges people are experiencing in the city. The pandemic has been a particularly challenging time for people with dementia and their carers. With funding from Joseph Rowntree Foundation, this report provides the results of a survey conducted during the pandemic, asking what is needed to improve dementia support in York.

Main/Key Issues to be considered

3. There are some key themes and recommendations from those caring for people with dementia, which are useful in helping shape the dementia strategy for the city.

Consultation

4. This report and the survey used has been developed working alongside organisations working with people with dementia and their carers. This work was conducted at a time where face to face consultation was difficult, and as such there was a higher level of feedback from carers than people with dementia. The feedback from people with dementia will be the subject of a further short report in Spring 2022.

Options      

5. The report outlines some key aspirations for improving dementia support in York. Health and Wellbeing Board are asked to note the report, and these key aspirations, outlined from page 42 onwards. Namely:

a. A key person with knowledge of support available and connections to the person’s GP practice

b. A hub, with a wide range of activities, and able to provide care so carers also get a break

c. Improved emotional, practical and financial support for carers

d. Improved medical and social care for people with dementia with regular checks

e. Improved dementia training for all frontline health and care staff

Strategic/Operational Plans

6. A Dementia Strategy for York is currently being developed. This report identifies some key areas where people in York believe services and support can be improved.

Implications

7. There are no specialist implications from this report.

· Financial

There are no financial implications in this report.

· Human Resources (HR)

There are no HR implications in this report.

· Equalities

There are no equalities implications in this report.

· Legal

There are no legal implications in this report.

· Crime and Disorder

There are no crime and disorder implications in this report.

· Information Technology (IT)

There are no IT implications in this report.

· Property

There are no property implications in this report.

· Other

There are no other implications in this report.

        Risk Management

8. There are no risks associated with this report.

        Recommendations

9. The Health and Wellbeing Board are asked to:

i. Receive Healthwatch York’s report, Dementia Support: Listening to Carers of People Living with Dementia in York

 Reason: To keep up to date with the work of Healthwatch York

Contact Details

Author:	Chief Officer Responsible for the report:
Siân Balsom Manager Healthwatch York 01904 621133
	Report Approved	X	Date	08/03/2022
Wards Affected:  All					All	P
For further information please contact the author of the report

Background Papers:

None

Annexes

Annex A – Dementia Support: Listening to carers of people with dementia in York