“It’s important for those affected by dementia to have a voice in shaping services and support.”

Enhancing lives by raising standards and improving dementia care. 

In March 2023, we launched a new campaign to raise standards and improve dementia care across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil called ‘enhancing lives by raising standards and improving dementia care.’

Through the campaign we hope to make care and support better for the 88,317 people living with dementia in the region.

The campaign supports local delivery of the ‘All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards’, which were created by Improvement Cymru in collaboration with people living with dementia, carers, and health and social care professionals.

In this blog, Rob explains why he feels the All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards are so important.

Hello Rob. What does your job involve?

I am a lead nurse, supporting and managing all areas of mental health care across Merthyr and the Cynon Valley.

My role involves overseeing dementia teams covering primary care, secondary care, and inpatient and day unit services.

I ensure we provide safe and high quality services, and this involves seeking the views of staff and those who use our services.

Why are the All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards so important?

The pathway of standards are vital to those living with dementia, their families, carers and professionals.

I am pleased they have been shaped by those affected by dementia and staff to improve services including community support, diagnosis and hospital care.

This is an opportunity to look at service improvement, and help us think “outside of the box” in terms of driving forward positive changes.

By joining together with people affected by dementia and carers, we can move towards meeting the standards at a local and regional level.

This will help us to raise standards, improve dementia care, and also break down the stigma association with the condition.

Why is getting involved in our awareness campaign important for those who work in dementia care services?

Providing the right care for those living with dementia and their families is a priority for us all.

By supporting the campaign, we can help to share information about the standards and encourage as many people as possible to get involved. We all have a part to play, whatever our role may be.

Why is it important for the future of dementia care services across Wales to be co-produced by those with lived experience?

I’ve had the privilege of undertaking co-production work with Lleisiau Dementia, a group of people with lived experience and their carers.  For those who aren’t aware, co-production involves those with lived experiences and professionals working in partnership to improve services.

Listening to this group gave us a good understanding of their experiences of care, and helped us as health care professionals to see a different perspective.

It is vital we include people with lived experience in the work we do as it’s important for those affected by dementia to have a voice in shaping services and support.

We need to learn from each other to make the right choices so we can provide the best possible care.

Continuing to work in a co-productive way, and listening to and valuing voices is an important step towards this.

Join us in shaping the way care and support looks for people with dementia, carers and their families.

Get involved in our campaign and learn more here:

https://www.ctmregionalpartnershipboard.co.uk/dementiacampaign/