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Islanders’ voices wanted on how to make Jersey more dementia friendly

21 March 2023


A survey has been launched to gather views on how Jersey supports people with dementia and their carers, and what we can do as an Island to become more dementia friendly and inclusive. 

The survey will feed into a larger piece of work being undertaken in partnership by the charity Dementia Jersey and the Government of Jersey to draw-up the Island’s first Dementia Strategy. 

The strategy, which is expected to be published by the end of October, is one of the Minister of Health and Social Services’, Deputy Karen Wilson’s, key priorities. It will outline a vision, strategic direction, and priorities for action for Jersey over the next five years. 

The voices of people living with dementia, carers, healthcare professionals, specialist practitioners, along with representatives from primary care, Public Health and the independent sector are involved in guiding the development of the strategy. 

Islanders are also encouraged to help shape the work by taking part in a survey. The survey, which closes on 11 April, can be completed online and will be promoted through Dementia Jersey and Government of Jersey social media channels. 

There will also be paper versions of the survey available at the Dementia Jersey offices, at the reception desk in Jersey General Hospital’s Outpatients Department, and at the reception at the Poplars Centre at Overdale.

Dr Sian Wareing-Jones, Lead Partner from Dementia Jersey, who is helping to develop the strategy, said: “We have launched this survey to give people with dementia, their families, and the professionals involved in their care, the opportunity to tell us about what really matters to them. 

“We see this as an essential part of the work we are doing to inform the recommendations of the strategy. These recommendations will be broad, but are likely to include, actions for improving outcomes for people with dementia and their families, actions to support our workforce, and actions to make Jersey a dementia aware and inclusive island.”

Rachel McBride, from Health and Community Services, who is leading a programme of dementia improvement that includes the Dementia Strategy said: “Hearing from Islanders is vital in helping us to develop a practical strategy that is informed by up-to-date evidence, but that is also tailored to and designed for the people of Jersey and our local community.“

It’s thought that 1,600 Islanders are living with dementia, with the number of people with dementia expected to grow rapidly around the globe. It is also estimated that more than half of us know, or have known, someone who is living with the condition.

The Minister for Health and Social Services, Deputy Karen Wilson, said: “I am delighted that work is gathering pace on developing the Island’s first Dementia Strategy. I made the creation of this strategy one of my key priorities as we need to make sure that we offer the very best support to Islanders with dementia and their carers. This is an important piece of partnership working and I look forward to learning what we can do as an Island to make Jersey more dementia friendly and inclusive.” 

Wendy Buckley, interim chief executive officer for Dementia Jersey, said: “To have a Dementia Strategy identified as a priority on the Minister’s health agenda is great news. It’s only by charities, healthcare professionals and government working together and listening to the views of those with experience of dementia that we can devise a robust and practical strategy that will help Islanders now and in the future.”

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