Chamber and committees

Following publication of theMental Welfare Commission Report Older and Wiser - Findings from ourunannounced visits to NHS continuing care ward (Bib. number 42946).I have askedthe NHS boards to provide action plans that set out how they will ensure thatall services meet the standards of the best service as identified in thatreport. Dementia is a national priority and we place great importance onsupport services for dementia sufferers.

We also have two timetabledcommitments directed at further improving services for those with dementia andtheir carers. These include a pilot programme on how best to improve dementiaservices (2008) and the development of standards for an Integrated Care Pathwayfor dementia (end 2007). Additional general mental health timetabledinitiatives including work on reducing readmissions, improving physical health;better crisis responses and improving the physical health of those with mentalillness will also have a positive impact.

In addition, we providefinancial support for a range of voluntary sector dementia services, includingthe Dementia Services Development Centre and Alzheimer Scotland.

Staff registering with the ScottishSocial Services Council (SSSC) are required to meet specific criteria, one beinghaving an appropriate qualification for the job they are employed to carry out.The level of, and range of, acceptable qualifications is set by the SSSC. Registrationof staff working in adult care home services commenced in January 2006 with managersof the service and further groups from October 2007.

The on-going pilot project (dementiaServices Development Centre/Forth Valley) looking at ways to improve local servicesand match care better to local needs, will also be given consideration to this issue.

Wealso have two timetabled commitments directed at further improving services forthose with dementia and their carers. These include a pilot programme on how bestto improve dementia services (2008) and the development of standards for an IntegratedCare Pathway for dementia (end 2007). Additional general mental health timetabledinitiatives including work on reducing readmissions, improving physical health;better crisis responses and improving the physical health of those with mental illnesswill also have a positive impact.

Thesecommitments are monitored and discussed with NHS boards and their partners throughthe Implementation Review process and visiting programme.

Weare also developing an Outcomes Framework for Community Care that will provide anothermonitor on joined up care for vulnerable people (including those with dementia). It includes four national outcomes, 16 performance measuresand, for the present, five targets that will drive joint performance. It will startin 2007-08 and be fully implemented in 2008-09. It covers areas such as user satisfaction,waiting times for assessments and service delivery, quality of assessments and reviews,emergency admissions, carers’ well-being, etc.

Work on benchmarking (identifyingnational common service definitions and measurable outcomes in health and socialcare) is also well underway. This work will provide outcomes allowing the benchmarkingand comparison of services across Scotland, including those for people with dementia.

The current regulatory framework,including the National Care Standards, requires care homes and independent hospitalsto provide care and support that meets the assessed needs of individual serviceusers, including of course people with dementia.