Leading campaigner backs new health board strategy to improve support for people living with dementia in North Wales

A leading dementia campaigner has given his backing to new plans to improve the support available to people living with the condition in North Wales.

Chris Roberts, 57, from Rhuddlan was diagnosed with vascular dementia and Alzheimer’s disease at the age of 51.

The former businessman has since become a major advocate for others with the condition through his work as an ambassador for the Alzheimer’s Society and as Vice Chair of the European Working Group for People with Dementia.

He has lent his support to a new Dementia Strategy developed by Betsi Cadwaladr Health Board (BCUHB) which has been launched in May to coincide with the Alzheimer’s Society’s Dementia Action Week.

The strategy outlines how the health board will continue to build on the progress made in recent years to improve the experience of all people living with dementia who access health services in North Wales.

Amongst the six priority actions it sets out is an ambitious commitment to work with the Alzheimer’s Society to officially become a ‘Dementia Friendly Organisation’.

Other priority areas include improved safeguarding; ensuring carers feel welcomed, valued and supported; and improving access to assessment for diagnosis.

The health board has also vowed to incorporate all of the relevant recommendations from the independent Health and Social Care Advisory Service report into standards of care on Tawel Fan Ward at Glan Clwyd Hospital into its Dementia Strategy.

There are thought to be more than 11,000 people across the region who are living with dementia, with one in fifteen people over the age of 65 years affected.

Chris Roberts and his wife, Jane, are among a number of people living with dementia and their carers who have helped to co-produce the strategy.

“This strategy was developed by the professionals alongside people who are experts by experience,” explained Chris.

“It was a true collaboration, not just a ‘tick boxing’ exercise, and the health board have included, recognised and valued the expertise of everyone living with dementia.

“Wales is definitely leading the way when it comes to true collaboration. This is important because we need to ask the people concerned what they want, what they need, what would be better for them, what would be supportive, and what would be enabling and not disabling.

“We mustn’t just see the diagnosis of dementia as people living with dementia are much more than just a diagnosis. You have to still see the person: the bank manager, the plumber, the builder, the professor, and the researcher.

“We were all someone before Dementia and we always will be.”

Sean Page, consultant dementia nurse at BCUHB, added: “We recognise that the voices of those living with dementia and in particular their families have often not been heard.

“BCUHB as an organisation has had to learn, not only to listen, but to truly hear what people have said. Everything we have heard through our conversations with people with dementia and their loved ones has been valued and considered in producing this strategy.

“We see the future as one in which those who are diagnosed with dementia and those who support them can feel confident that not only will they experience compassionate, safe and professional care but that they have, as a right, real opportunities to shape and be more involved in that care.

“It is a future which will be based not just on partnerships but on respect for human rights, protection by law, transparency and engagement.”