5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Dementia

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:44 pm on 29 September 2021.

Alert me about debates like this

Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 4:44, 29 September 2021

(Translated)

Paul Davies mentioned people with dementia not feeling like part of their community, and that's true even in an area like Preseli Pembrokeshire, where there are so many close-knit communities. I'm sure things are even worse in certain other areas. Paul mentioned the need for people to receive training on dementia. I've experienced on too many occasions responses that have been negative to people suffering dementia—people don't understand, people don't show patience, people ignore people with dementia, and people are treated as though they're stupid. Paul and many others—and Janet also—mentioned good practice in some areas. We must have a national strategy here. We have talked too much over the years about good practice here and there; we now need a national approach. Things shouldn't rely on individuals or individual organisations.