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ITEMS FROM THE PUBLIC OR COUNCILLORS - TO RECEIVE STATEMENTS, PETITIONS OR QUESTIONS RELATING TO THE BUSINESS OF THIS MEETING
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Minutes:
Melissa Hillier (ReMind UK) & Ruth Lane (ForgetMeNot Club) addressed the Panel on the subject of a Dementia Strategy, a summary of their statement is set out below.
‘Background
Within the local Ageing Well Network, discussions have been held regarding the need for Bath and North East Somerset to have a Dementia Strategy. Following further research the only strategy currently available is the Mental Health Commissioning Strategy but nothing that relates specifically to services for people living with dementia.
BaNES has an estimated 2700 people living with dementia (with only 40% of these with a diagnosis) and this is due to increase by 36% by 2030 to over 3670.
Proposal
For 3SG group members to support the Council in the coordination of a Dementia Strategy for the area. The working party will have representatives as follows:
- NHS Adult Care representatives.
- BaNES Council representatives.
- Local housing representatives.
- Local service providers.
- ICB Board representative
- HCRG Care representative
- GP representative
We are here today to ask that the Children, Adults, Health and Wellbeing Policy Development and Scrutiny Panel approve in principle the need for the production of a dementia strategy for local residents and agree that the Council will take a leading role in this process.
Aim
We would like to produce a strategy which will outline what people living with dementia in BaNES can expect from all services from diagnosis through to end of life care.
The strategy will ensure that anyone, despite where they live within BaNES, can receive the same approach for dementia services. It will give guidance to all service providers and a clear pathway from diagnosis to end of life for people living with dementia. The strategy itself will also help us focus on the gaps in service provision, and aid future commissioning of services.’
The Chair asked if both ReMind UK & ForgetMeNot Club were part of 3SG.
Melissa Hillier replied that they were and that she was the Vice-Chair of 3SG.
Kevin Burnett asked if they had seen related strategies from other Local Authorities.
Melissa Hillier replied that both Swindon and Wilshire have a Dementia Strategy and that as B&NES was part of the same Integrated Care Board (BSW ICB) they should be able to use that information as their strategy is developed. She added that the strategy should be co-produced with service users.
The Chair asked that this matter be referred to the Cabinet Member for Adult Services and for it to be added to the Panel’s Forward Plan.
Councillor Alison Born, Cabinet Member for Adult Services said that the subject had been raised with her a few weeks ago and that she was in discussions with the Director of Adult Social Care to allocate a lead officer from the Council.
Councillor Liz Hardman asked that the Panel be updated on the progress of this work at their meeting on 16th June 2025.
Councillor Lesley Mansell said that she agreed with the need to have a B&NES Dementia Strategy, that it should be developed with the feedback from service users and must be in place across the whole of the Council area.
Ruth Lane stated that in her role she works with service users on a daily basis and would ensure that their views are taken into account.
The Director of Adult Social Care said that quite a lot of work was already ongoing in this area and that there is an existing Mental Health Strategy and that Dementia was included as part of that strategy. She said that they need to make sure that they add value to the work already underway.
Laura Ambler, BSW ICB said that she welcomed the opportunity for the ICB to become engaged, to support this work and input into the commissioning intentions.
Melissa Hillier commented that she would like to encourage those involved to look beyond health matters and to produce a standalone Dementia Strategy.
The Chair thanked Melissa and Ruth for their statement on behalf of the Panel and said they look forward to seeing the strategy develop.
Wendy Lucas addressed the Panel on the issue of respite care and Newton House, a summary of her statement is set out below. She explained that this was her third statement to them this year and that they were now around 8 months away from having to find alternative provision from that currently provided at Newton House.
She said that despite an initial positive meeting with officers from Adult Social Care she was now concerned about the impetus being shown regarding the ongoing process.
She stated that there are around 6 million carers in the UK and that if all were to stop doing this role the NHS would come to its knees.
She urged the Panel to ensure that the pace of this process is increased to ensure that a continuity of service is provided for their family members.
The Chair thanked her for her statement and asked if any meetings had taken place and how she felt the process should move forward.
Wendy Lucas replied that a meeting had taken place between family members, Dimensions and officers from Adult Social Care initially and that in March another meeting was held with the Director of Adult Social Care. She added that she was really worried that no timeline has been shared with the families and that it would be challenging to have a replacement provision in place within 8 months.
Councillor Liz Hardman asked if a timetable of meetings had been put in place for the families of the service users of Newton House.
Wendy Lucas replied that there were no further meetings scheduled for them currently.
The Chair, on behalf of the Panel, thanked Wendy Lucas for her statement.