A partnership on the Isle of Wight between local voluntary sector organisations including Alzheimer Café IW, Age UKIW, Carers IW, Healthwatch IW, the Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust - are delighted to have been shortlisted for a ‘Place-based Partnership & Integrated Care Award’ by the prestigious national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards for their groundbreaking work on the Isle of Wight Dementia Strategy.
This recognition acknowledges the power of statutory and voluntary sector partners working together with a shared goal to provide the best possible care and support to those who need it most. The work of the Dementia Strategy has added significant value to dementia services on the Isle of Wight through a range of different projects.
The strategy has driven forward the development and delivery of bespoke dementia training programmes aimed at improving dementia understanding and care for staff working in our hospital, ambulance staff and the entire adult social care workforce. This training has resulted in a more confident and competent workforce able to support the needs of people with dementia. To date over 800 hospital and ambulance staff and 794 staff working in social care roles have completed the training.
Other improvements have seen the strategy driving service model changes in the memory service that have resulted in a 62% increase in patient contact for assessments and aftercare. The implementation of the Dementia Outreach Team to support dementia patients at risk of detainment under the MHA has seen a significant positive impact reducing the average length of stay from 313 days in 2021 to 62 days in 2023.
The partnership has also seen the development of a new Dementia Hub delivered by the Alzheimer Café IW, where people can access advice, support, day services and social opportunities. In addition to this and as a direct result of the strategy the Acute Trust appointed two Associate Practitioners for dementia to support people in the hospital setting, providing activities, supporting discharge planning for people with dementia and delivering training.
Laura Gaudion, Director or Adult Social Care and Housing at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “I am proud of the progress that has been made to improve the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers, but there is still more to do and I will continue to support the implementation of our first system-wide Dementia Strategy. There are an estimated 2814 people living with dementia on the Isle of Wight and this number is projected to increase by 26% by 2030. Health and social care leaders have agreed that dementia must be one of our top priorities, and only by working together and listening to those who need our support can we ensure that people are able to live well with dementia on the Isle of Wight.”
Maggie Bennett CEO, Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight, added: “Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight is privileged to be working with partners across health, voluntary and social care organisations, to develop an IW Dementia Strategy that was shaped by people living with a dementia, including their carers and families within our community. Our organisation’s ethos of “we’re all in the same boat” is promoted by everyone involved, with a strength and passion that has broken down barriers between us and forged a steely determination to create the support that people need and aspire to.”
Partnership key in achieving system change
Maria Bunce, Chief Officer at Age UKIW, said: “Age UKIW are incredibly proud to have been involved in the development and implementation of the strategy, and being part of the solution to get support to those who need it most. With the Isle of Wight having a proportionately higher older population than the rest of the UK, which alone brings a higher prevalence of dementia, we are committed to ensuring that our older islanders get the best possible support. The shortlisting of this award is an example of what can be achieved when we work together to bring about system change.”
Elizabeth Martin, Manager, Carers IW, said: “Carers IW continue to be committed to ensuring that the voice of people with dementia and that of their families, friends and carers, is heard and valued. We are delighted to be involved in the development of dementia support across the Island.”
Marcia Meaning, Head of Nursing for Patient Safety and Dementia, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, added: "We are thrilled to have been recognised for the impact our strategy has had for patients and their families. By working collaboratively with our partners, we are providing the best possible care and support for people living with dementia."
Dominic Spillane, Team Lead for the Dementia Outreach Team, Memory Assessment Services and Admiral Nurses at Southern Health, commented: “We’re so pleased that, through the development of the Dementia Strategy, the improvement in the delivery of services has had such a positive impact on people and carers of people living with dementia. We look forward to continuing working in partnership to provide the best possible care for people living with dementia on the Isle of Wight.”
The selected winners will be announced during the awards ceremony at Evolution London on 21 November 2024.