Agenda item

Cabinet Member – Councillor Dafydd Meurig

To consider a report on the above  (attached).

A dementia report was submitted for information and to raise awareness of dementia, by providing Members with an overview of the work being done in Gwynedd to secure support and services for people living with dementia. In 2015, there were 1,927 aged 65 and over in Gwynedd who had dementia. By 2035, it was anticipated that there would be 2,923 people in Gwynedd who had dementia. It was noted in the report that it was difficult to obtain accurate data on the actual number of individuals who lived with dementia or memory impairments in Gwynedd, since a great many of those who came to our attention had not received an assessment or an official diagnosis. It was stated in the report that the vision was to provide timely information, advice and support to individuals with dementia in Gwynedd. It was noted that a range of support was available to individuals diagnosed with Dementia, from information and community support as the early signs of the condition emerged, to mainstream services such as domiciliary care and day care, and specialist intensive care during the final stages. It was noted that the Council was eager to ensure that people with dementia received the most suitable care as locally as possible. 

The report stated that Gwynedd Council would maintain its commitment to fulfilling the requirements of the Dementia Action Plan for Wales by working together with individuals, their families and friends, and our partners in the third sector and the Health Board. It was noted that the services were reliant on temporary funding to support a great number of the developments in care provision for individuals with dementia. It was noted that, as part of the previous year's bidding process, the department had submitted an application to bridge the Dementia Go Scheme gap, and that the challenge was to secure long-term funding to ensure the sustainability and continued development of this service.

The Cabinet Member and officers expanded on the content of the report, and also responded to questions and observations from the members. During the discussion, the following observations were made:

·         The Cabinet Member and the officers were thanked for the report. It was noted that it was difficult to scrutinise the entire content of the report within a single session, and it was noted that a specific field under the title of dementia could be identified for scrutiny in depth if required.

·         Sympathy was expressed towards people who lived with dementia or who cared for people with dementia, and it was acknowledged that this was a problem affecting an increasing number of people within our communities. It was noted that a number of families were facing the difficult situation of being unable to care for a person living with dementia and having to depend on a care service.

·         Concern was raised regarding residential and nursing home fees, especially those additional fees within the service that people were expected to pay, noting that the fees in general were beyond some people's capacity to afford. It was acknowledged that this was a matter related to the dementia report, and that it was an increasingly problematic issue. It was noted that it was a reflection of the situation in general, across the care sector. It was confirmed that the Council was aware of the situation and was looking at sustainable fees, but it was noted that the Council was not the only commissioner within the field; therefore, until the situation in its entirety was given attention, it would be difficult to resolve.   

·         It was emphasised that, in the member's opinion, dementia was a matter for the Health Board.  It was noted that there was a need for the Health Board and social services, with the Government's guidance, to work together to tackle the problem of dementia, and that it would be impossible to find a solution to the problem until this collaboration occurred. 

·         In response to members' observations, it was noted that individuals often arrived at the Council's door when their condition had deteriorated to a situation of emergency, and that traditional care in care homes was the suitable response in such situations. It was noted that many people in our communities were currently living with the early symptoms of dementia, but had not been diagnosed. It was emphasised that there was a need to improve the methods of providing information regarding the services and the provision available from the Council and other sectors in order to reach people sooner, and to support them along the care pathway before they arrived at a care home in a state of emergency. The requirements of dementia provision meant that a wide range of support was available via the care system from the Council, the third sector and the Health Board. In addition to this, it was noted that reinforcing the support for carers was a priority and that the department had appointed a member of staff to look at this field in particular.   

·         In response to a question regarding units for partners within dementia care homes, it was explained that these units were not specifically available within the Council's services, but that it was possible to make arrangements for couples to be co-located in the same home. Units of this kind were available at some other care homes.

·         In response to a question regarding the relationship with the Housing and Property Department, it was confirmed that there had been close collaboration, and that the schemes in the Housing and Property Department's report, presented during the previous item, reflected the Adults, Health and Well-being department's input and suggestions. The care schemes within the housing plan derived from the needs identified by the Adults' Department and the Children's Department. There were discussions regarding Frondeg in Caernarfon and the Penygroes Health Hub in particular. It was noted that this was a long term programme of developments in order to address the needs which increased annually.

·         In response to members' observations regarding the lack of private sector care provision in south Meirionnydd, it was noted that there was a need to consider the possibilities in terms of the Council offering to fill the gap, and it was explained that the Council's investment in the homes in that area was a reflection of this. 

·         In response to a request made by the members, it was agreed to prepare a concise handout by the next meeting, giving an outline view of the service with information and figures in terms of bed numbers, staff numbers, length of waiting lists, etc.

RESOLVED to accept the report.