3. Statement by the Minister for Health and Social Services: Update on the Dementia Action Plan

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 3:37 pm on 14 May 2019.

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Photo of Lynne Neagle Lynne Neagle Labour 3:37, 14 May 2019

Thank you for your statement, Minister. It's good to have an update today, and I welcome much of the positive report that there is in your statement, particularly about the increase in the number of dementia friends. I've got a few specific questions on the action plan. I was grateful for your replies to myself as Chair of the cross-party group on dementia around the transparency of funding for the plan, which is largely going out through the integrated care fund, and concerns about that have also been raised in the health committee. I was pleased to receive your answer and the assurances that you gave. But can I ask whether there are any plans for there to be any kind of independent evaluation of the impact of the plan, in recognition of some of the concerns that have continued to be expressed about transparency?

Linked to that, you've mentioned the work of the DOIIG, but I know that some third sector organisations are very keen to have a different leadership structure, one that involves somebody particularly championing this cause at Government level. Have you given any consideration to how this work is going to be driven forward by particular leaders within Welsh Government? You mentioned in your statement the input of those living with dementia, and that is a very positive feature of the work of Welsh Government in this area. And, in particular, I'd like to recognise the ongoing impact of DEEP in this area. But there was a phenomenal amount of involvement by those living with dementia in the formation of the plan. So, can I ask you for further detail? There was some 1,000 people who inputted into the action plan, so can I ask for some further detail on how you will continue to ensure that those living with dementia will be fully involved going forward?

And, just finally, I was pleased to see the reference to the Welsh Language Commissioner and Alzheimer's Society Cymru report in your statement. It is a really important report, and one that I was really pleased to attend the launch of. I don't think that we can overestimate the importance of the ability to communicate in your first language for someone with dementia, given the huge challenges of communication that exist. I'm pleased that Welsh Government are going to be involved in the group that the commissioner and the society have set up, but can you take this opportunity to restate your commitment politically to ensuring that the excellent recommendations in that report are driven forward?