New service to come under the spotlight

by ANDY PARKER

PLANS for a new service which could dramatically improve the lives of dementia sufferers are to be discussed in Swadlincote.

Sufferers and their carers are being urged to attend the event, which is designed to review the future of services in the town.

Discussions at the Let’s Talk event, to be held at the Lincote Resource Centre in Wideshaft from 6.30pm to 8.30pm on Monday, December 7, will focus on plans to develop new one-stop “memory clinics”.

Backers of the scheme say the clinics could dramatically improve the lives of thousands of dementia sufferers and their families by providing them with early advice, screening and, if necessary, treatment – all under the same roof.

Detecting and recognising dementia from an early stage can help prevent its onset, or at least enable sufferers to live their life longer and more independently.

Views on key issues such as how awareness of dementia can be improved, early diagnosis and support and improving the quality of care will also be sought.

Dementia currently affects 3,250 people in Derbyshire, with a further 6,000 people estimated to have the condition. The number of people suffering from undiagnosed dementia is expected to increase by a third over the next 12 years.

The event is being arranged by Derbyshire County Primary Care Trust (PCT) in conjunction with the Alzheimer’s Society.

Rosemary Crockett, public patient and involvement manager at the PCT, said: “Dementia can cause memory loss, communication problems, with sufferers often unable to carry out simple day-today activities that we all take for granted.”

She urged interested parties to attend the event and share views on how the PCT can improve services for both sufferers and their families.

Derbyshire County PCT is currently working with Derbyshire County Council and the Alzheimer’s Society to develop new dementia services for the county.

The first-ever national dementia strategy, Living Well With Dementia, was launched by the Government earlier this year.

Places at the events can be booked by contacting Diane Smith on 01773 525 099 extension 5116.