Responding to need
Dementia, according to statistics from Alzheimer’s Research UK, will impact on one in two of us over our lifetime, whether that’s caring for someone with the condition, or by developing it ourselves. It’s forecasted that the number of people living with dementia will increase significantly over the coming decades, from just under 950,000 now, to an estimated one million by 2030, reaching 1.6 million by 2050.
At CQC, we’re just beginning the development of a dementia strategy. We’re ambitious in our aims. Our cross-sector strategy will be shaped by this central question – how can CQC use its role to improve the experience of using health and social care services for people living with dementia and their carers?
Lasting impact
We want our work to influence and drive improvement to the provision of services, models of care and quality of health and care services which people living with dementia and their carers may need.
We’ve started our work on this and are committed to working closely with a range of partners across the health and social care sectors. I was delighted to kick this off at the end of February with a group of adult social care trade associations representatives. Together we discussed and explored what ‘good’ looks like in dementia care.
It was a rich and wide-ranging discussion and it’s clear that our ambition in this space is shared and welcomed by many. The trade associations had, in many cases, already sought views on this subject from their members, and my thanks go to those of you who share your views with us via routes like this.
There is such determination to improve the landscape for those living with dementia and their carers. I left our first workshop inspired by the commitment of providers, not only to support those living with dementia now, but to look to, and plan for the future.
There was vibrant discussion about intersectionality, diversity in care provision and how to properly support people who develop dementia alongside other existing disabilities or conditions. Conversations centred around system challenges and how to support and develop understanding of dementia among families and the wider public. The need for the person to be at the centre of their care plan, with care dedicated and tailored to them and their own story and life experiences was clear.
Listening and acting
The first phase of our project involves speaking with a range of stakeholders, including, of course, people with lived experience of dementia and their carers. We are committed to delivering this strategy through consultation and co-production with people and with providers, academics, advocacy groups, statutory bodies and charitable organisations.
The discussions we’re having will build on the significant information and data we collect through our regulatory work. Our data and insight colleagues’ work on reviewing the feedback on care returns we receive has illustrated some of the challenges faced by carers in navigating both primary and secondary care on behalf of the person they are supporting. All this comes together to help articulate that definition of what good looks like.
This is just the beginning of our work. As we develop our strategy, we welcome your feedback and engagement in our central question – how can CQC use its role to improve the experience of using health and social care services for people living with dementia and their carers?
Please share your thoughts, experience, ambitions and innovation with us via our dedicated inbox, [email protected].
Mary Cridge is the Director of Adult Social Care at the Care Quality Commission (CQC).
Email: [email protected] X: @CQCProf