Alzheimer Scotland's Consultation On 'Better Health, Better Care'

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 12 Sep 2007 - 14:00 PDT

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The Scottish Government is consulting on what the health and wellbeing priorities should be in Scotland and how they could be achieved. Alzheimer Scotland has put together the questions below to consult with members, people with dementia, carers, staff and those with an interest in dementia care in order to shape our response to the Scottish Government. Our questions are based on the key issues for people with dementia and their carers from the consultation document 'Better health, better care'.

Please email your response to our questions by 15 October 2007 to lkinnaird@alzscot.org to have your comments included in our response. You do not have to respond to all of the questions.

If you would like to read or respond to the Scottish Governments full consultation document, see http://www.scotland.gov.uk/Topics/Health/Action-Plan

Background

Health inequalities, the ageing population and the growth in long term conditions have been identified as the main challenges for the NHS. This will require a change from the current model of health care towards a system that is more geared towards long term conditions, recognises patients and carers as partners in care and encourages self care.

The Scottish Government has stated that there will be smaller increases in public spending. This makes Alzheimer Scotland's response to the consultation crucial in promoting the needs of people with dementia and their carers, as improvements in health and social care will be based on rigorous prioritising by the Scottish Government.

Questions

1. The Scottish Government has said that dementia will be incorporated within a set of national clinical priorities. What specific actions should be taken at a national or local level to achieve this? What key performance targets should be set to ensure that this is put into practice? Do you have any personal experience that the NHS could learn from?

2. How could intensive case management based on individualised care plans to coordinate services be improved? Do you have any personal experience that the NHS could learn from?

3. How could information and support for self care provided for people with dementia and their carers be improved? Do you have any personal experience that the NHS could learn from?

4. How should services offered by local health centres be expanded for people with dementia?

5. How should the NHS improve the support it gives to carers of people with dementia?

6. What cognitive and other psychological therapies do you think should be offered to people with dementia?

7. What improvements should be made to palliative care (end of life care) for people with dementia? Do you have any personal experience that the NHS could learn from?

8. How could the NHS and local government learn from the example of voluntary sector services to improve community care services?

Please specify in your response whether you are:

- Diagnosed with dementia
- Caring for someone with dementia
- A relative or friend of someone with dementia but not their day to day carer
- A member of Alzheimer Scotland
- A staff member of Alzheimer Scotland
- A volunteer for Alzheimer Scotland
- Professional involved with people with dementia but not a member of Alzheimer Scotland staff
- Other (please specify)

http://www.alzscot.org/