Dementia Carer Voices Heard at Person-Centred Health and Care LearningSession - a look back

Dementia Carer Voices recently participated in the Person Centred Health and Care Collaborative’s Third National Learning Session, held at the SECC.
The aim of the event was to bring together people from a variety of backgrounds to share learning about the values, behaviours and approaches that will help to ensure that people are always at the centre of their health and care. Over the course of the two days, delegates had the opportunity to listen, observe and share examples of person-centred approaches to care that support the five “Must Do With Me” elements of care. These include;
1. What matters to you?
2. Who matters to you?
3. What information do you need?
4. Nothing about me without me
5. Personalised contact
Dementia Carer Voices Project Engagement Lead, Tommy Whitelaw received a standing ovation after addressing delegates on the second day of the learning session from a carer’s perspective. Tommy’s speech, on the theme of “No – one ever asked ” highlighted the transformational impact that listening, kindness and understanding made to his journey as a carer, and the importance of looking beyond a person’s diagnosis to engage with them as an individual.
Tommy said "I felt privileged to be invited to share aspects of my own and fellow carers’ experiences with such a large audience. I was delighted it was so well received .”
Programme Director Irene Oldfather added "Tommy's experiences are changing the way in which health and social care professionals see their job. Our simple message is ‘You can make a difference’. Dementia Carer Voices is delighted to work in partnership with key stakeholders to put people with dementia and their carers at the heart of services."
For further information about the Collaborative and to view presentations from the previous learning session, click here . 
 Back to News