WaMH in PC's blog
Doctors to Test All Pensioners for Dementia
As an organisation we have strong interest in raising awareness about dementia and were pleased to see the Prime Minister announcing two new schemes to combat the condition.
Download the National Dementia Vision for Wales document
In the new pilot schemes, GPs using iPad-compatible software will test people for normal or abnormal memory in 10 minutes.
Pensioners will also be given memory tests every time they visit a doctor or nurse and 1million people - including bank and shop workers and schoolchildren - will be offered training under a Dementia Friends scheme so they can help those who need extra assistance.
For more about the two initiatives please read Doctors to Test All Pensioners for Dementia on The Telegraph website.
There are currently just over 42,700 people living with dementia in Wales, and it is important to note that the effect on the individual is different in each case.
This is not just a problem affecting Wales - the most up-to-date statistics show that the numbers of people with dementia are rising across the UK and the world with an estimated 35 million people with dementia worldwide.
Much work has taken place in Wales recently to identify the areas that need to be addressed to improve the lives of those with and affected by dementia.
This has led to the creation of the National Dementia Vision for Wales which provides a long-term vision to ensure Wales can best meet the challenge of an increasing number of people living with dementia across the country.
If you have any questions about WaMH in PC's work with dementia in Wales please visit our Dementia section or contact us via email at lhills@rcgp.org.uk or on 029 2050 4516.
New Section Attracts Hundreds of Visitors
Our recently published Mental Health Measure section is proving a great success with four times as many visitors findint their way to our site following its launch.
Watch our videos about Part 1 of the Mental Health Measure
We added our new Part 1 - Downloadable Resource a fortnight ago to help GPs and their teams understand the first part of the Mental Health Measure which came into force in October.
The new web pages contain links to a variety of documents and videos which explain the various impacts of the new legislation with more than 800 visitors coming to our site since the section went live on 31 October.
Our site usually attracts around 100 visitors a week but the new information has helped bring in a lot more visitors proving that people are interested in finding our more about the Measure.
Our new series of videos have proved the most successfull with more more than 400 views between them over the past two weeks.
In fact, we'd urge you to spend a few minutes of your time watching each of the videos which you can access through the following link - Part 1 - Videos.
Part 1 of the Measure makes it a legal requirement for Local Health Board and Local Authorities to work together to expand and strengthen primary care mental health services for people of all ages.
If you're a mental health professional, then we'd urge you to take a few minutes to explore our new Part 1 - Downloadable Resource section which we have split up into the following 3 distinct sections:
- Guidance - A series of links to supporting documents and guidance for Part 1 of the Measure
- Legislation - A series of links to legislation and regulations behind Part 1 of the Measure
- Videos - A series of videos explaining Part 1 of the Measure
In the meantime, if you've got any questions about the Measure or the work WaMH in PC carries out across Wales please contact us via email at lhills@rcgp.org.uk or on 029 2050 4516.
Online Mental Health Measure Section Launched for Primary Care Teams
We've created a new online resource to support primary care teams as Part 1 of the Mental Health (Wales) Measure come into force across the country.Watch our videos about Part 1 of the Mental Health Measure
Part 1 makes it a legal requirement for Local Health Board and Local Authorities to work together to expand and strengthen mental health services at primary care level across Wales for people of all ages.
Our new website section will help GPs and their teams understand this first part of the Measure and can be accessed through the following link - Part 1 - Downloadable Resource.
The resource consists of a series of links to documents, websites and videos which explain how this part of the Measure will work.
If you're a mental health professional, then we'd urge you to take a few minutes to explore this new section of our site which we have split up into the following 3 distinct sections:
- Guidance - A series of links to supporting documents and guidance for Part 1 of the Measure
- Legislation - A series of links to legislation and regulations behind Part 1 of the Measure
- Videos - A series of videos explaining Part 1 of the Measure
We'll also be posting details of each section on our Facebook page over the coming week so please visit us there as well and pass on anything you find useful to your Friends and colleagues.
In the meantime, for further information on the Mental Health (Wales) Measure contact:
- Mental Health Legislation Team, Welsh Assembly Government, Cathays Park, Cardiff CF10 3NQ.
- Telephone: 029 2082 6988.
- Email: mentalhealthandvulnerablegroups@wales.gsi.gov.uk.
AND
Barbara Bowness - The All Wales Primary Care Lead for Part 1 of the Measure at:
- National Leadership and Innovation Agency for Healthcare, Innovation House, Bridgend Road, Llanharan CF72 9RP.
- Telephone: 01443 233 333 / 07816 513 774. Direct line: 01443 233 364.
- Email: barbara.bowness@nliah.wales.nhs.uk
Alternatively, contact WaMH in PC via email at lhills@rcgp.org.uk or on 029 2050 4516.
