What is the Welsh Government’s strategy to ensure that essential care for dementia patients and their families including respite care, that were withdrawn because of the current pandemic, are reinstated?
Welsh Government has supported health boards, local authorities and the third sector to continue to provide support to those in receipt of dementia services, ensuring that funding remains available to enable services to adapt to the current situation. This includes the release of the Integrated Care Funding monies allocated to Regional Partnership Board (RPBs) to support the implementation of the Dementia Action Plan. Where individuals are struggling, support is also available through their local voluntary organisation. https://thirdsectorsupport.wales/contact/.
Some services have had to change the way they deliver in order to minimise face to face contact. As service delivery has changed, we are aware that some of the innovation and hard work has resulted in positive changes. However, we know that innovative practices utilising telephone and digital services have not worked for everyone and there is a need to ensure that those who are most vulnerable are not disadvantaged.
We have set out very clearly our expectation (in the statutory guidance published under the Coronavirus Act 2020) that any changes to individuals’ care and / or support, which may include an identified and eligible need for respite care, will be returned to their pre-modification arrangements at the earliest possible opportunity. Local authorities need to establish arrangements and communicate to those impacted, how this will be achieved. The onus should not be on individuals or their families/carers to ensure that their care and support is restored. The abilities of people to cope during a period of crisis is not an indication of their ability to provide care and / or support for prolonged periods.
The Welsh Government has developed guidance to support local action to identify and meet the anticipated increased rehabilitation needs of people affected directly and indirectly by the pandemic. This includes people living with dementia whose skills have deteriorated during the period of lockdown.
In order to support the identification of these priorities, Welsh Government’s Dementia Oversight of Implementation and Impact Group (DOIIG) has been reinstated and will meet virtually to ensure that the actions set out within the Dementia Action Plan continue to be worked towards in the COVID-19 context.
Support continues to be available through the Wales Dementia Helpline, the Carers Support helpline and the Alzheimer’s National Helpline.