Stoke-on-Trent City Council is set to implement changes to dementia care support services following a "wide-reaching" review in the city.

The council hopes that the changes will help people diagnosed with the condition, and their families, to live independent lives.  

The set of recommendations have been outlined, based on a "wide-reaching" review carried out by the council's Adult Social Care, Health Integration and Wellbeing Overview and Scrutiny Committee looked into the support available for people with dementia, and their carers, in Stoke-on-Trent.

Councillor Lynn Watkins, cabinet member for adult social care and all age commissioning on Stoke-on-Trent City Council, said: "In carrying out this review it was agreed to focus on the effectiveness of health and social care support from diagnosis onwards, not just for people living with dementia, but also for their carers.  

"This will allow us to establish better joined up support and improve awareness of what is available to help those affected live well in their own homes and communities. 

"The improvements are based on lived experiences of people affected by dementia – we wanted to understand a family's journey in order to understand some of the challenges that people affected by the condition face  

"The review also sought to establish how effective integrated care is and how well health and care professionals, working together, meets an individual's specific requirements." 

The council explained that the review was carried out in response to the fact that there are currently more than 3,000 in the city affected by the condition, an this figure is expected to rise "significantly" over the next few years.

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It looked at how support is currently provided by the authority's adult social care team, health service partners and support organisations, taking into account the lived experiences of many of the people living with dementia in the city - as well as their families and others who support them on a day-to-day basis. 

The review also explored how needs are met for different groups of people with dementia, such as those with Down Syndrome or those from diverse ethnic backgrounds. 

The council also said that extensive evidence was gathered from social care professionals, health and commissioned partners, and voluntary sector organisations (including the Alzheimer's Society, Approach Dementia Support, Dougie Mac, North Staffs Carers, ASIST Advocacy and the Beth Johnson Foundation).

The changes recommended in the review that are set to be implemented: 

• Encouraging GPs to refer people living with dementia (and their carers) to specialist organisations such as Dougie Mac and Approach Dementia Services. Research suggests the importance of social interaction for those affected by dementia in that physical, mental and social activity can help slow the progression of symptoms of dementia.
• Helping people who receive a diagnosis of dementia to be connected to social prescribers (organisations who connect people to non-medical community activities, groups, and support services) to improve their health, wellbeing and social welfare.
• Creating a one-stop-shop services hub to help people living with dementia as well as their carers access support, information, activities and carer assistance. The proposal is to operate it from Marrow House, in Longton, the assisted living residential care home for people with dementia.
• Providing dedicated advocacy services to ensure people living with dementia can access timely support to help individuals understand their rights and make informed choices.
• Undertaking a citywide mapping exercise to catalogue all support, organisations and service pathways available to people with dementia and their carers.

The improvements recommended in the review will also contribute to the ongoing introduction of a Joint Dementia Strategy, which has been developed in partnership with the NHS Integrated Care Board.