Mental Health in Later Life
The Mental Health in Later Life programme is managed by David Truswell. Its main focus is the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy and Healthcare for London’s Dementia Services Guide, which was launched in October 2009.
The National Dementia Strategy
The National Dementia Strategy identifies a vision for services for dementia that emphasises:
- changing public and professional attitudes, understanding and behaviour toward those with dementia
- making early diagnosis the rule rather than the exception
- enabling people with dementia and their carers to live well with dementia
The Dementia Services Guide
The Dementia Services guide takes up the achievement of this vision through focusing on three initial priorities:
- developing an integrated care pathway for dementia
- developing the general hospital care pathway for dementia
- promoting the development of memory clinics
The programme will be supporting commissioners across London in developing services for older people with dementia across an integrated care pathway.
Commissioning Support for London is also supporting six national demonstrator sites in the capital which are focused on developing the Dementia Advisor role and peer support for people with dementia and their carers. Guidance on best practice will be produced from the findings from the demonstrator sites.
David’s involvement in leading on implementing the National Dementia Strategy across London is delivered in partnership with Lesley Carter, London Region Dementia Lead for the Department of Health.
As well as the dementia focus, the programme also covers the full range of mental health problems in later life and related issues affecting older people with mental health problems such as safeguarding, support for carers, dignity and personal choice.