Introduction
In November 2011, Health Minister, Edwin Poots, launched the Northern Ireland dementia strategy entitled “Improving Dementia Services in Northern Ireland, A Regional Strategy”.
This was announced alongside the development of new legislation to deal with mental capacity and mental health, including powers and protections relating to substitute decision making for those who are unable to make their own decisions, including people with dementia.
Outline of strategy
The strategy sets out a range of actions under the following headings:
- Reducing the risk or delaying the onset of dementia
- What matters to people with dementia and their families
- A model for supporting people with dementia and their families
- Raising awareness
- Initial Assessment and diagnosis
- Supporting people with dementia
- Support people with dementia in acute hospitals
- Supporting people with dementia in residential and nursing homes
- Supporting carers
- Legislative change
- Promoting research.
Further information
Further information on dementia policy in Northern Ireland can be found at: https://www.health-ni.gov.uk/
The Regional Strategy can be downloaded below, as can an easy read version of the document.