(from L-R) Stephanie Doherty, Chair of Oldham Dementia Action Alliance, Maggie Kufeldt (Oldham Council’s Executive Director for Health and Wellbeing, Dr Ian Wilkinson, Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Oldham CCG, Simon Stevens, NHS England Chief Executive, Carolyn Wilkins, Oldham Council’s Chief Executive, Councillor Jenny Harrison, Cabinet Member for Social Care and Safeguarding and Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing.
The head of the NHS in England has praised the outstanding dementia partnership work in Oldham.
NHS England Chief Executive Simon Stevens visited Oldham during Dementia Awareness Week, to see first-hand how more than 2,500 people living with dementia in the town are being supported by an array of services.
The visit at Oldham Civic Centre was sparked by Mr Stevens’ interest in finding out about the dementia work being undertaken in Oldham and how partnerships and the community are pulling together to help people understand the condition and support patients and their carers.
Mr Stevens attended a Dementia Friends event, which helps residents understand what it is like to live with dementia and learn how to support people to live well with the condition.
Mr Stevens spoke at length with dementia patients and their carers at Oldham Council’s headquarters. He said talking and listening about the challenges they face every day was “difficult, but it was reassuring to hear of the support and benefits they receive from Oldham’s Dementia Friends and partnerships, like the Oldham Dementia Action Alliance.
He said: “The dementia awareness work taking place in Oldham is clearly very forward thinking and is empowering people with dementia and their carers to help drive forward changes.
“Partnership working between NHS Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group (CCG), Oldham Council, voluntary sector and local community groups and businesses means people living with dementia are at the forefront and are truly benefitting from improvements in services and community support.
“This is helping them to live as full and active a life as possible and for their carers to feel well supported.”
Dementia is a physical disease of the brain caused by conditions such as Alzheimer’s or mini-strokes. One in three people over the age of 65 will develop the disease, although younger people develop dementia too. People living with dementia can face challenges managing everyday activities, but with a little help and support can continue to live well and enjoy life for many years.
John Starkey, a carer for his mum who is living with dementia, said: “It was a great opportunity to speak with Mr Stevens about the dementia services in Oldham. I have noticed a massive difference in the support available to carers over the past six years and this has made a really positive impact on my life. I’m pleased I could share my experiences and highlight the continuous developments of dementia services in Oldham and the hard work of everyone involved.”
Dr Ian Wilkinson, Chief Clinical Officer at NHS Oldham CCG, said it was a great opportunity to host a visit with Mr Stevens and showcase the fantastic dementia work that goes on in Oldham.
“As a CCG, we are fully committed to enhancing the quality of life and care for people with dementia and their carers. Ultimately, we are working hard towards ensuring people with dementia and their carers are empowered to live well, maintaining their independence and social activities,” he said.
Councillor Jean Stretton, Cabinet Member for Health and Wellbeing, said: “In Oldham, there are a number of services available to those with dementia and it’s vital we spread the word.
“Mr Stevens’ visit is testament to the great work taking place in the borough and it’s all down to organisations, businesses, volunteers banding together to make the Oldham a Dementia Friendly Community and provide a helping hand to people with dementia, their families and carers.
“We launched a campaign last year to create hundreds of Dementia Friends in the borough and now we have thousands, all with that better understanding of the condition.”
Oldham Dementia Action Alliance, a partnership involving NHS Oldham CCG, Oldham Council, providers of local services along with community groups and local buisnesses, has organised a month-long dementia awareness campaign, which aims to help make Oldham a dementia friendly community.
Oldham’s Dementia Awareness Month is running until Monday, 8 June, and activities include reminisce walks, library and park fun days for all the family, information stalls in Oldham market, awareness event for BME communities, adventure with dementia physical activity day with schools and pamper session for carers. For further information, please see the flyer at www.oldham.gov.uk/dementia or pick a copy up from GP surgeries, pharamcies, Oldham librraies or Age UK Oldham.
I was surprised that no mention was made in the review of the pioneering work done by the Saddleworth Carers Group, set up some 10 years ago to provide support for the Carers of Dementia Sufferers by Dr Eamon O’Daly. Some hundreds of family’s have been given support and care by this dedicated group through the dark times when Dementia was a word to whisper and very little help from Specialist Community Medical Services that we have today.
A key issue needing addressing and not mentioned in the report is the cost of providing Care for Dementia Sufferers. A large amount of care provision is not Government funded and falls on the individual family or partner via Private Care Homes, what is being done to finance the Care of Dementia sufferers and how do people go about receiving Financial Care. Dr Ron Kershaw.