Agenda and minutes

To approve and sign as a correct record the Minutes of the meetings held on 3rd December, 2015 and to deal with any matters arising, attached.

RESOLVED that the minutes of the meeting held on 3^rd December, 2015 be approved and signed as a correct record. 

Report of the Director of Quality and Integration regarding access to early diagnosis and post-diagnostic support, attached.

The Panel considered the report of the Director of Quality and Integration written to develop an understanding of access to early diagnosis and post-diagnostic support. 

Following discussions with external partners the Panel concluded that:

·  The challenge for health professionals is to ensure care packages are  put in place at the right time for the individual;

·  Diagnosis rates in Southampton had significantly improved;

·  Progress was being made to signpost people with dementia and their carers through the Better Care Fund;

·  The closer integration of health and care services had helped streamline processes.  There was increasing evidence of collaboration and sharing of good practice;

·  In general medication is slowing down the progress of dementia symptoms;

·  There was an issue ensuring that dementia awareness and support leaflets were available in GP surgeries;

·  Referrals increase as a consequence of national campaigns;

·  There is a need to ensure signposting continues after diagnosis;

·  Combating loneliness would help to address a number of issues in the city;

·  Those people between 50 and 60 years old who receive early cognitive diagnosis are referred back to primary health care in the knowledge that as symptoms develop they would be brought into specialist care as required;

·  The role of care navigators has brought the community as well as health professionals together;

·  The Local Government Association has recently published a guide to combating loneliness for local authorities.

RESOLVED that the comments made by Dr Cliff Howells, Clinical Programme Lead for Mental Health NHS Southampton City Clinical Commissioning Group and Dr Maged Swelam Consultant Psychiatrist, Older People Mental Health, Southern Health be noted and used as evidence in the review.