News

New hands at SDWG

We said an official farewell to Philip Bryers at the March Meeting, James presenting him with a framed photograph and cheque. He will be a hard act to follow.

Martin Sewell starts as new National Coordinator with Jenny Douglas continuing as Development Worker. We are both looking forward to working with you all.

Terry Pratchett hits the headlines

You have probably seen references on TV and in the papers about Terry Pratchett’s announcement that he has a form of dementia. He has just donated £500,000 to Alzheimer research.

Whether you are a fan of his science fiction books or not, you will probably identify with his fighting approach to having dementia. He was quoted as saying:

When I found out, I thought “I have got to tell about 8-10 people who are really close to me.” Then I thought “Why am I worried about this? Why am I keeping it a secret? I haven’t actually done anything wrong!” But I was behaving as though I had. So I decided to stop.

He also said “There’s humour in the darkest places” and “I am not dead.” SDWG has a kindred spirit here.

Anaesthesia and dementia

SDWG decided to ask - “Are there special risks for people with a diagnosis if they have a general anaesthetic?”

In February, two anaesthetists from the Victoria Infirmary in Glasgow, came and spoke on the subject to SDWG Committee. The answer they gave us? Well – yes, and no!

It is hard to separate the effects of an anaesthetic and those of the surgery. Older people in general may experience some cognitive decline following major surgery.

The conclusions?

• It’s best to be cautious and avoid any unnecessary surgery.
• If surgery is required make sure that any medical condition (such as a diagnosis of dementia) is discussed with the doctor in advance of the operation.
• Minimize hospital stay after the operation and take “recovery strategies”:
  • Avoid certain drugs (doctors can advise)
  • Take plenty of fluid
  • Treat pain immediately
  • Start moving around as soon as possible
  • Find somewhere familiar and tranquil for recuperation

It would be a good idea to ask for a pre-operative assessment before agreeing to have a general anaesthetic if you have any worries. These are offered in some parts of Scotland, but not everywhere.

If you want to discuss this issue further, speak to one of the staff at SDWG.

Making dementia a national priority: Progress report

At the latest meeting of the Scottish Government’s Dementia Forum, (on which James McKillop sits), a paper was circulated setting out what the Government has done so far to honour its pledge to make dementia a national priority. Main points:

• From April 2008 each NHS Board is to deliver agreed improvements in early diagnosis and management of patients with dementia
• The Integrated Care Pathway (ICP) for dementia has been launched and Health Boards are busy developing their action plans which have to be accredited by the end of this year
• A checklist has been published on making new primary care premises dementia friendly
• A pilot project has been undertaken in NHS Forth Valley to improve dementia awareness and to reduce unnecessary care home and hospital admissions

If you would like a copy of the Scottish Government’s “Flashcard”, which gives fuller details, contact Jenny Douglas on 0141 418 3938 or jdouglas@alzscot.org .

SDWG speaker for Oslo selected

We are pleased to say Agnes Houston won the ballot to represent SDWG on the conference platform at the Alzheimer Europe Conference at the end of May. Lynda Hogg will be reserve delegate. Well done to both.

Going for gold

This is the title of the annual Dementia Awareness Week conference in Glasgow Royal Concert Hall on Monday 2 June.

It picks up on the Glasgow Commonwealth Games theme, but will apply it to dementia services. What is the gold standard for dementia care – and how do we achieve it?

There will be some places available for members of SDWG. It is always a good event to attend and several members of SDWG will be speaking.

If you would like to attend please contact the staff of SDWG.

Scottish Parliament Visits

The group visit on 6th March, hosted by Andy Kerr MSP was very informative. We were able to make him aware of several important issues. We are still waiting for Joe Fitzpatrick MSP to confirm date for Dundee members to visit. We are hoping Cathie Peattie MSP will also host a visit.

SDWG secures Comic Relief funding

SDWG received the welcome news in December that it is to receive around £60,000 per annum for 3 years commencing in April 2008 to carry its work forward.

The funding has been approved by Comic Relief under a new heading for promoting older people’s advocacy and campaigning. The work of SDWG fits the criteria for this funding stream perfectly.

SDWG has already advertised the posts of National Coordinator and Development Officer (part-time) and hopes to have a new staff team in post in April. Philip Bryers is retiring in March after three and a half years as National Coordinator.

The Group has a hectic schedule of commitments ahead in the next few months including speaking engagements at conferences in Edinburgh, Glasgow and Belfast. In addition it has a roadshow to the Borders, a briefing session at a forthcoming committee meeting on the risks of general anaesthetics for people with dementia, and a presentation to the Alzheimer Scotland Involvement Day in Perth on 15 March.

As if that was not enough, the Group is submitting a proposal for a presentation to the Alzheimer Europe conference in Oslo in May. The chosen topic is “Diagnosis and treatment of dementia as seen through the eyes of people with dementia”.

The meetings in Dundee for members in the north and east of Scotland go from strength to strength. The fifth one took place in January and was attended by more than 40 people, who heard Shirley Law speaking about the nurse training materials she is developing at the Dementia Services Development Centre and Dr Peter Connelly, Consultant Old Age Psychiatrist, NHS Tayside, speaking about recent developments in dementia services.

The Group has submitted its response to the Scottish Government consultation on the draft respite care circular. It would like to see everyone meeting the criteria for respite care receiving a minimum of one week of respite every year.

SDWG is working on what should be expected of GP practices at the 15 month reviews they are now committed to providing for each patient on their dementia register. It is also following up work on the feasibility of more prominent alerts on medical files to ensure that any part of the NHS providing a service knows of a patient’s diagnosis. The Group looks forward to reporting back on these issues at a second meeting with Shona Robison, MSP, Minister for Public Health in June.

Philip Bryers
January 2008