Dementia units to be allocated in Staffordshire in new year

A public consultation has just ended on the £100 million plan for the specialist centres.

Around 60 residents including carers, staff and people with dementia sufferers in the family filled in a survey as part of the proposals, which county council bosses have described as a good response. Councils acrossthe country are implementing improved facilities for dementia patients.

County councillor Liz Staples, cabinet member for adult wellbeing, said: "We have been extremely pleased with the response to the consultation and are now busy collating all of the feedback we have gained to form a comprehensive report on our proposals.

"Dementia is the biggest challenge facing the whole country and it is crucial that this issue is tackled head on to ensure we're providing effective care and support."

Specialist

The county council is currently going through a procurement process to select a bidder to develop the project sites.

Councillor Staples said: "Any location will be dependent on the chosen bidder and what land they have available.

"We will be in a position to look at potential locations once a final bidder is selected which will be late 2013," she added. The number of people, aged 85, in Staffordshire is due to double by 2025, and dementia diagnoses are also expected to rise.

The aim of the centres is to reduce the need to be transferred from residential care to specialist units as a patient's condition deteriorates, which can be disruptive and distressing for them.

Councillor Staples said: "We want to give a better quality of life for those who require specialist dementia services, and give people a flexible access to care as their needs increase.

"These centres will offer those with dementia the best care possible at whatever stage of their condition, helping them live as full a life as possible."