Vikki Slade MP hosts cross-party Wessex roundtable on dementia care
Vikki Slade, MP for Mid Dorset and North Poole, has brought together MPs and leading health experts from across the Wessex region for a major cross-party roundtable on improving Dementia and Alzheimer’s care.
The event in Parliament brought together MPs from the Liberal Democrats, Labour and the Conservatives alongside charities, clinicians and local authority representatives to discuss how decision makers can work together to improve support for people living with Dementia and Alzheimer’s.
Among those attending were Rachel Gilmour, MP for Tiverton and Minehead; Dr Andrew Murrison, MP for South West Wiltshire; Edward Morello, MP for West Dorset; Brian Mathew, MP for Melksham and Devizes; Tom Hayes, MP for Bournemouth East; Alison Bennett, MP for Mid Sussex and Liberal Democrat spokesperson for Care and Carers; Jessica Toale, MP for Bournemouth West; and Sir Ashley Fox, MP for Bridgwater.
They were joined by experts from key organisations including the Alzheimer’s Society, Dementia UK, portfolio holders at councils within the Wessex footprint, and a representative from the Dorset Integrated Care Board.
Discussions focused on the South West’s persistently low Dementia diagnosis rates. While the national target is 66.7%, the region currently has the lowest diagnosis rate in England. Dorset’s Integrated Care Board has a diagnosis rate of just 58.3%. Participants also highlighted gaps in post-diagnostic support for patients and families, workforce shortages including a lack of specialist roles such as Admiral Nurses, and the need for clearer national standards for Dementia care.
MPs looked ahead to the publication of the Modern Services Framework for Dementia and Frailty, as well as the reorganisation of Integrated Care Boards, as opportunities to deliver a more joined-up and strategic approach to care and support. Alzheimer’s Society and Dementia UK outlined clearly their priorities for these coming changes.
The roundtable called for improvements including stronger workforce training, clearer post diagnostic care pathways, better safeguarding and DBS standards, and greater support for carers.
Vikki Slade MP said:
“Dementia affects thousands of families across Dorset and the wider South West, yet our region has the lowest diagnosis rates in the country. This is particularly concerning as Dorset has one of the oldest populations in the UK.”
“This roundtable was about bringing together decision-makers from across politics, the NHS, local government and the charity sector to have an honest conversation about what needs to change.”
“I was pleased that my campaign for a register of care workers, Dementia training, and enhanced DBS checks was supported cross-party and by the professionals. I hope we can work collaboratively to improve the lives of those with dementia and the wellbeing and support for their carers.”
Following the success of the event, Vikki Slade MP has now turned her sights to a constituency based roundtable, to feedback some key takeaways and hear more from people with Dementia and their carers about their experiences.