The vision of the Suffolk Dementia Strategy 2024-2029 is to create a society without stigma, where people with dementia feel safe in the knowledge that responsive services are based on an understanding of their needs and empowered to access information, advice, guidance, and support which is readily available whenever they or their families need it.
The Suffolk Dementia Strategy 2024-2029 was launched during Suffolk Dementia Action Week 13 – 19 May 2024.
Background
We recognise that dementia is a significant health and social care issue which impacts not only those with dementia, but also their carers, families, and friends. 2021/22 GP data indicates there are around 7,500 people in Suffolk with a diagnosis of dementia. However, this is likely to be an underestimate, as it does not include those without a formal recorded diagnosis of dementia or suspected dementia. Using research and suspected prevalence data, we can estimate that there are likely to be 14,200 people aged 65 and over with dementia in 2023, which is expected to increase to 19,200 by 2035 (a 35% increase).
People with dementia tell us that they want to be seen and supported as individuals.
“When you have met a person with dementia you have only met one person with dementia”
Building on the Suffolk All Age Carers Strategy we know that caring can be challenging but also very rewarding, and that carers need to be seen as an individual from the person they are caring for and supported accordingly.
It was recognised that people with dementia, carers and families must have their own voice in the development of the strategy and action plan.
An Equality Impact Assessment was completed and published in February 2024, designed to ensure that a policy or service does not discriminate against any disadvantaged or vulnerable people and that, as far as possible, any negative consequences are eliminated or mitigated.
Co-producing the strategy
The Suffolk Dementia Strategy has been heavily informed by Healthwatch Suffolk (the local independent health and social care champion). It published a report called A roundabout without signposts’: People’s experiences of dementia in Suffolk - Healthwatch Suffolk, which explored the experiences of people living with dementia and their carers in accessing and receiving support. The report features key learning for systems, services and leaders that has shaped the focus of this strategy.
Between September 2022 and February 2023 Healthwatch Suffolk undertook extensive stakeholder engagement with people with dementia, their carers, and families across Suffolk, in total Healthwatch Suffolk collected 156 people’s experiences, including 19 in-depth interviews with carers, families, and the person with dementia, 100 feedback forms and 28 comments from the feedback centre.
Between November 2022 and June 2023 further engagement and co-production sessions were held across Suffolk involving people with dementia, their carers and families, health, social care professionals, stakeholders and the voluntary community and faith sector. This included a co-produced Dementia Marketplace event, 8 dementia roadshows across Suffolk, 16 dementia groups and 8 awareness sessions across Suffolk as well as feedback from over 152 people from 48 organisations either in person or virtually.
From the everyone’s experience we co-produced six priorities and outcomes
The outcomes and priorities
We listened carefully to people with dementia, carers, families, voluntary, faith sector professionals across health and social care and co-produced the following priorities based on the NHS England dementia well pathway.
- Preventing Well: Raising awareness, understanding and information
- Diagnosing Well: Improve assessment and diagnosis
- Supporting Well: Increased need as symptoms develop
- Living Well: Providing support for people with dementia and their families
- Dying Well: Having the opportunity to prepare for end of life
The action plan
The co-produced action plan that will follow will be where these priorities will see change and make a difference for all people with dementia and their families across Suffolk.
If you have any questions or you wish to be part of the Suffolk wide work, then please contact gail.cardy@suffolk.gov.uk
