The Head of Mental Health Commissioning (Wirral Place) introduced the report which provided detail on the Wirral Dementia Strategy 2022-2025, which had been produced to review the ambitions outlined in the previous 2019-2022 strategy, which were not achieved due to the impact of Covid-19, and defined the priority areas, actions, and outcomes over the next four years to meet the vision for how dementia care and support would be delivered across all wards within the borough. The focus of this strategy was structured around NHS England’s Well Pathway for Dementia and focused on recovery from Covid-19, and better integration across health and care services to deliver the best outcomes for the population who may have dementia, as well as those who care for them. Greater alignment of services and more creative responses to people’s needs and aspirations would lead to individuals being diagnosed with dementia earlier and having more community-based support in place to enable them to live independently for longer.

It was reported that currently there were over 3,000 people aged 65+ with a dementia diagnosis and projections estimated that the total numbers of people living with dementia in Wirral would more than double to over 7,000 by 2035. The Board discussed the diagnosis rate in detail, where it was noted that the national diagnosis rate target was 66.7% and it was felt that locally there should be ambitions to improve this. Further discussions took place in relation to the close links between dementia and regeneration and housing, and the role of Primary Care in supporting the strategy.

On a motion by Councillor Mary Jordan, seconded by Dr Abel Adegoke, it was –

Resolved – That

(1)  the Wirral Place Dementia Strategy 2022-2025 be approved.

(2)  quarterly updates on progress be provided to the Place Based Partnership Board.