Agenda item

To consider an interim progress report on the dementia scrutiny review in particular to an informal evidence gathering session held on 1 September 2008. During this session Members received evidence from carers of relatives with dementia and from various organisations details of which are set out in the report.

Members are asked to consider whether they need to gather further information before preparing the draft final report.

Consideration was given to the Interim Progress Report on the Dementia Review. In particular the Committee considered the information gathered at the informal session held at the Priory Street Centre on 1 September 2008. At that session Members had received evidence from carers of relatives with dementia and from representatives of the following organisations:

§         York Older People’s Assembly

§         Age Concern, York

§         Alzheimer’s Society

§         York Carer’s Forum

§         York Carer’s Centre

§         Epilepsy Action

§         York & District MIND

§         York LINk (Local Involvement Network)

§         City of York Council Social Services Department

§         North Yorkshire and York Primary Care Trust (NYYPCT)

§         York Hospital

§         York Foundation Trust

The Chair stated that mention had been made at the session at the limited attendance of members of the Scrutiny Committee. He went on to confirm that the evidence recorded however did provide useful information for those not present.

Members then made the following comments:

• That the evidence showed that there was a clear need for early identification of patients suffering from dementia and that it highlighted a number of training issues;
• Noted that whilst evidence was collected from a wide range of representatives/organisations that similar themes had been identified;
• The triangle between patients, carers and staff was important;
• That a named nurse for each patient was essential;
• Reference to the proposals for a new scheme that would allow care workers to go into peoples homes immediately after discharge from hospital and the possibility of these workers assisting the patient in hospital between 9am and 5pm;
• Reference made to the Ambulance Service who had been unable to send a representative to the session and the need for their input as first point of contact with the patient after their GP;
• Concern that numbers of dementia suffers did not accept that they had any problems;
• Need to recognise the position of the carer or advocate balanced against patient choice and confidentiality;
• The views of front line staff on what would assist them in their dealings with dementia patients would be useful;
• Useful to consult with the Local Medical Committee (LMC) as to whether it would be possible to include in patient,s GP notes details of named carers to flag up this issue with all medical staff;

A representative of the Alzheimer’s Society stressed the importance of ensuring that all training was then implemented.

Following further discussion it was

RESOLVED:            (i) That the Ambulance Trust be invited to send a representative to the Committee’s 6 October meeting to provide details of their experiences when dealing with dementia sufferers;

(ii)               That, before the next meeting if possible, arrangements be made with Mike Proctor, Deputy Chief Executive of York Hospital, for the Chair and Councillors Ayre and Wiseman, together with any other Member of the Committee available, to visit the hospital to talk to front line members of staff on the issues surrounding dementia sufferers and the training requirements;

(iii)             That any questions Members wished raising at the above visit be sent to the Scrutiny Officer, for collation prior to the visit.