Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 12 July 2022
98. Deputy Willie O'Dea asked the Minister for Health the improvements in dementia care that have been put in place over the past two years; the further developments that are planned; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [37465/22]
View answerI have long been an advocate for the development of services for people with dementia and their families and this is representative in the focused investment in these supports and services in recent years. A key commitment of this Government is to continue implementing the National Dementia Strategy so that people living with dementia can live well for as long as possible.
In 2022 there was €15million of increased investment dedicated to dementia specific supports and services, on top of the €12.9million additional funding from 2021. This unprecedented level of increased funding for dementia specific services has allowed for substantial advancements across a number of areas including:
- Dementia diagnostic services with two new regional specialist memory clinics and 9 new memory assessment and support services
- Enhancement of acute care pathways for people with dementia through the recruitment of dementia specific posts and the implementation of a clinical guideline
- Post diagnostic supports through the enhancement of memory technology resource rooms across the country
- Increase the proportion of home support hours ringfenced for people with dementia to 11%
In addition, funding in 2021 allowed for an expansion of the Dementia Advisor Network from 8 to 29 advisors providing support to people with dementia across the country.
A Model Care for Dementia has been developed by the HSE. This outlines care pathways for people with dementia from early signs/symptoms through to assessment, diagnosis, disclosure, care planning and post-diagnostic support.
