Healthwatch Norfolk to launch dementia report at AGM in Norwich

[wendy]

18 September 2014

For Immediate Use

Healthwatch Norfolk to launch dementia report at annual general meeting in Norwich – 22 September

Healthwatch Norfolk will be holding its first annual general meeting at The Curve

(downstairs at The Forum) Norwich at 4pm on Monday 22 September. Anyone who lives or works in Norfolk is welcome to attend and find out more about what Healthwatch Norfolk has done already to influence health and social care provision as well its plans for the coming year.

Guest speakers include Minister of State for Care, Norman Lamb MP and the proprietor of Clinks Care Farm, Doeke Dobma, who will talk about the care farming movement. There will be the opportunity for members of the public to ask questions of Norman Lamb. Questions can also be submitted in advance to enquiries@healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk

Also at the AGM, Healthwatch Norfolk will be launching its report on Experiences of Dementia Services in Norfolk. There are at least 13,000 people in Norfolk diagnosed with dementia and dementia is a priority area for Healthwatch Norfolk and Norfolk’s Health and Wellbeing Board. Healthwatch worked in detail with 63 people, both carers and people with dementia, to understand more about service provision in Norfolk – where it was good and where it needs to be improved. The main themes they identified were:

 Delayed diagnosis of dementia can result in a more rapid decline in health and wellbeing

 Carers want more information at the point of diagnosis

 Access to services varied greatly and not all dementia services are available on an equitable basis across Norfolk

 Family (unpaid) carers provide the bulk of daily care and face practical problems and financial hardship

 There is uncertainty on what services are there in an emergency for people with dementia

 Carers have felt the impact of funding cuts on support services

 The day-to-day experience of caring for someone with dementia can be difficult and carers would benefit from more advice on how to cope

The report makes a series of recommendations for commissioners of support services and for further Healthwatch Norfolk’s work on behalf of people with dementia and their carers. These include:

 Commissioners to give careful consideration to the level and equity of support across Norfolk for people with dementia and their carers

 Healthwatch Norfolk to undertake a programme of enter and view visits to residential homes for people with dementia

2

 Healthwatch Norfolk to influence improved information and signposting for people with dementia and their carers

Healthwatch Norfolk Chief Executive, Alex Stewart, said:

“We need to get services for people with dementia and their carers right, especially in a county like Norfolk with an ageing population. We know that this is a real challenge but it is one we need to rise to. Healthwatch is committed to working with commissioners,

providers and other groups to help make sure that services are as good as they can be. This report is part of our ongoing commitment to work on behalf of people with dementia.”

Note to editors

Healthwatch Norfolk is the consumer champion for all publically funded health and social care in Norfolk, for all ages.

We listen to views, experiences and concerns about care and make and try and make sure that they are used to improve services. We are an independent organisation but have a statutory role and sit on Norfolk’s Health and Wellbeing Board to represent patients, service users and the public,

We are here to champion everyone who lives in Norfolk and make sure that their needs and priorities are reflected in the health and social care available to us in the future.

In March 2014 Healthwatch Norfolk published its priorities for the coming year in its prospectus document Your Voice Improving Your Services.

Healthwatch Norfolk is an independent charity and is funded by Norfolk County Council.

Clinks care farm

Clinks Care Farm is a 143 acre Norfolk County Farm in Toft Monks, South Norfolk (just north of Beccles). The farm combines the care of the land with the care of people.

Clinks offers opportunities for disadvantaged people to help out on the farm. Because of the natural therapeutic environment this can aid people’s recovery and even be a preparation for work.

The care farm can also provide an alternative to day care by offering meaningful activities on the farm. Clinks Care Farm was launched in May 2010 and is run by husband and wife team Doeke Dobma and Iris van Zon with the support of a dedicated team of directors, staff, volunteers and colleague farmers. It is a social enterprise and all its profits go back into the farm and the local community.

Further comment:

Contact: Chris Knighton. Communications Manager chris.knighton@healthwatchnorfolk.co.uk

01603 813904

Mobile: 07437 018615