Working party aims to formulate recommendations to NHS on care in Sidmouth’s community for dementia sufferers

A 17-strong working party of carers, councillors, GP and others voluntary agencies involved in the care of dementia sufferers in Sidmouth, has been charged with submitting a report and recommendations relating to care in the community to NHS Devon Trust by November.

The working party was set up at a public meeting in June after Devon County Councillor Stuart Hughes suggested it as a way forward to help solve the needs of the town’s 551 dementia sufferers.

Now chaired by Rotarian Mark Williams, a representative of Sidmouth Memory Caf� - set up by Sidmouth and Sid Valley Rotarians last year - the working party is seeking to identify a new model to meet the needs of dementia sufferers in the community.

He said: “We would like a local response. We are keen to have the support of the local community in tackling this issue. We aim to represent all facets of the community and speak with one voice.

“We want something bespoke, to fit the needs of the community, and we are working together with the NHS Trust in an effort to achieve this.”

The views of Sidmouth people are important and constructive contributions are being invited by the working party, to be submitted town clerk Trina Jarrett at Woolcombe House.

“These views and care priorities would help us to formulate the final report and recommendations,” said Mr Williams.

One of these is bound to be respite for the carer now that Stowford Lodge has closed its doors to day care patients.

At its first meeting on Friday, July 22, the working party heard from Dr David Somerfield, who helped Torbay produce a model of care in the community.

This model has been developed over the past 10 years and is seen as an excellent model of its kind at a national level.

Mr Williams said: “This model is seen by the NHS Devon Trust as the basis on which we could develop our own community and care policy for Sidmouth.”

Sidmouth is being asked to make its recommendations by the middle of November.

“We are looking forward to working closely with the NHS providers in producing a model that will meet the needs of the Sidmouth community.”

*Sending comments to Sidmouth Town Council? Then send them to us too at diana.bowerman@archant.co.uk.