Today attending dementia dialogue have you’re say event

Hi

Today  I will be attending a dementia dialogue event at the Hilton as part of my two year awareness project supported by the Scottish Government

Location: Bellshill

Venue: Hilton Strathclyde Hotel, Phoenix Crescent Strathclyde Business Centre, Bellshill, ML4 3JQ

Date: 3 December 2012

Time: 11:00 – 15:00 (registration and refreshments will be available from 10:30)

Thank you for taking the time to contribute your views on how we build on our national approach to improving dementia services. Dementia has been a national priority since 2007 and I am privileged to inherit this hugely important agenda as the new Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing.  I very much look forward to learning from you all as we work together to continue to improve people’s experience of dementia services across the whole system of care. The first strategy was developed in partnership with Alzheimer Scotland, COSLA and others and I look forward to the benefit of that range of expertise and insight as part of this consultative process. I am gratified that there’s broad agreement that we’re taking the right approach and I anticipate that the next national strategy – to run to 2016 – will build on this approach as well as identify other areas needing attention and capitalize on new opportunities. We will continue to focus on the early and accurate diagnosis of dementia, and improving post-diagnostic services through our new target from next year, which is described by Alzheimer Scotland as a world-first. We know that getting this part of the system of care right for all will be crucial in supporting people with dementia and their families adjust to the diagnosis, build a personal, tailored care plan - and plan in advance for future care as the illness progresses. While we continue our focus on working with NHS Boards and others in improving dementia care in general hospitals, with work led by The Chief Nursing Officer, I want to hear your views not only on how we build on that work but also on how else we use the dementia standards to measure services across the whole system of care. A big part of our approach will inevitably be continuing to improve the skills and knowledge of the workforce, building on the implementation of the Promoting Excellence skills and knowledge framework over the last two years, and I look forward to your views on where we should focus this activity up to 2016.I am particularly looking forward to engaging with The Scottish Dementia Working Group, and the new Alzheimer Scotland Dementia Carers Action Network, both of whom are very highly regarded by my predecessor and who possess an invaluable amount of first-hand experience of services. This work does not stand in isolation, of course. Quite the reverse, in fact. Our huge undertaking to integrate health and social care, our work to roll out the take up of Self Directed Support, and our strategy on carers are all very strongly linked to our agenda on dementia. Getting all of these areas right will help in enabling our older population, and everyone with dementia, to live well for longer in their own home and as part of the community. I look forward to receiving your views as part of this dialogue.

ALEX NEIL

Cabinet Secretary for Health and Wellbeing