Recent studies showed that there are currently 39,000 people with dementia in Wales. This is set to rise by 35% over the next 20 years with one in three people over 65 years of age is expected to suffer from a form of dementia.
The Health minister in Wales announced on 13th July 2010 that the dementia services in Wales are to receive an extra £1.5 million a year to extend and develop provision. The fund is for an additional dedicated dementia clinical post in every older person's community mental health team across Wales, to provide advice and support to those diagnosed with dementia and also provide direct support to memory clinics, dementia training and awareness-raising for staff working in dementia care across Wales.
The dementia plan which was developed by a group of professionals is aiming to:
- Develop better joint working across health, social care, the third sector and other agencies;
- improve early diagnosis of dementia and timely interventions;
- provide better information and support for people with the illness and their carers/ families;
- Offer additional training for those delivering care.
A new Mental Health Programme Board will oversee these goals. The board will be responsible for improving the quality of general hospital care for people with dementia and reducing the time between the onset of symptoms and diagnosis being communicated to patients and their families.
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