New campaign launched to raise standards and improve dementia care in Cwm Taf Morgannwg
A new campaign has launched today to raise standards and improve dementia care across Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil.
Titled 'enhancing lives by raising standards and improving dementia care', it aims to make care and support better for the 88,317 people living with dementia in the region.
Led by the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board, the campaign will support local delivery of the 'All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards', which were created by Improvement Cymru in collaboration with people living with dementia, carers, and health and social care professionals.
The set of 20 standards aim to drive forward improvements to dementia care and support across Wales.
As part of the campaign, the CTM Regional Partnership Board is bringing together those with lived experience, health and social care professionals, and the wider community to ensure they are able to influence what dementia care and support looks like in the region.
Over coming months, the CTM Regional Partnership Board will be sharing more information on the standards, and holding events to show people how they can shape decisions that affect their lives.
With nine of the standards linking to memory assessment services, there will be a focus on looking at how care and support can be improved for people seeking a diagnosis.
Lowri Morgan, Dementia Programme Manager, at Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board, said: “We all have a shared responsibility for making sure that people affected by dementia have a positive experience of receiving care and support in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil.
“People will experience dementia in their own way and that is why it is important to bring people together to share their experiences and shape the way care and support looks.
“Whether you are living with dementia, a carer, a family member, a health and social care professional or a community member who comes into contact with people affected by dementia, we want to hear from you. Your experiences can help us understand what changes need to be made to ensure people receive the best possible care and support.
“We'd encourage people from across the region to support and get involved with this campaign. When we all come together, we make things better for everyone."
Ceri Higgins from Pontypridd, who spent 12 years caring for her dad who had dementia, has played an instrumental role in developing this campaign. She said: “Being involved is so important. If a service is about somebody's life, then they should be fully included in decisions that are being made.
When I started caring for Dad, I joined several panels and groups so I could share my experiences, and it's been incredibly valuable for me and the people I speak with.
“Sometimes when there are lots of different people from different backgrounds in the room, it can feel like a culture of “them and us." Really, labels are irrelevant – we are all setting out to support somebody. By including people with personal experiences in conversations and decisions, we can make things better together."
Michaela Morris, Mental Health and Dementia Programme Lead at Improvement Cymru, said: “More than 1,800 people contributed to developing the All Wales Dementia Care Pathway of Standards, ranging from those living with dementia to voluntary sector organisations to practitioners across Wales and the UK.
“We're pleased that the Cwm Taf Morgannwg Regional Partnership Board is putting people with lived experience, health and social care professionals, and the wider community at the heart of delivering the standards locally, ensuring the best possible dementia care and support are shaped in Rhondda Cynon Taf, Bridgend and Merthyr Tydfil."
For more information and to get involved in the campaign, visit https://www.ctmregionalpartnershipboard.co.uk/dementiacampaign
16/03/2023