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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