Influencing local government

Our Local Systems Influencing Team actively shapes local systems, collaborates with, and holds local decision-makers accountable. We influence and shape the development of local dementia strategies and highlight the need for dementia to be a public health priority. 

We engage with elected representatives and non-political decision-makers, Government Departments, Integrated Care Systems (ICSs), Local Health Boards and Health and Social Care Trusts within the framework of our strategic priorities - diagnosis, research and social care.

By nurturing a culture of evidence-based lobbying, we set out how local government and local system leaders should develop and deliver dementia policy and services. We demand that systems work together to provide quality, person-centred care and support for people to live independently in their own communities.

Why do we work with local government?

Dementia affects around 900,000 people across England, Northern Ireland and Wales. By 2040 there will be 1.4 million people living with dementia in the UK.

Local governments play a crucial role in ensuring their residents receive the support they require to live well with dementia at the right time. 

Some of the key decisions local authorities make include resource allocation, budgeting, commissioning of social care services, and planning for future needs. They play a pivotal role in developing how pre- and post-diagnosis support services are provided to people affected by dementia in their local areas. 

The national target for dementia diagnosis rates in England is currently 66.7%. As of April 2024 it was at 64.6% for England. There are no current targets in Northern Ireland and Wales for dementia diagnosis rates, but as of March 2023, the diagnosis rate for Northern Ireland was approximately 60%.

The introduction of ICSs across England in July 2022 - and their equivalents in Northern Ireland and Wales - has provided additional opportunities to demonstrate the need for joined up, personalised care and why dementia as a terminal disease needs to be included within ICS forward plans. 

What changes do we want in local government?

The needs of people living with dementia drive the change we demand from local governments. People living with dementia have told us that:

“We want to see local dementia services and support that are accessible to all and culturally appropriate, delivered with empathy, efficiency, and effectiveness.”

 

By working with local government, we want to ensure that:

• Access to accurate and timely diagnosis is prioritised.
• Tools for diagnosis and support services are culturally appropriate.
• Residents receive adequate information and advice about local support services.
• Residents can access ongoing personalized support and involvement in their care.
• Every area has a local dementia strategy co-designed with people living with dementia.
• A dementia steering group is set up and includes VCSE reps and people affected by dementia.

Who do we work with within local government?

To influence policies that support people living with dementia, their families and carers, we engage with several local stakeholders and decision-makers:

• Councillors, MLAs, MSs (ASs) and Members of Parliament.
• Members of the Integrated Care Boards (ICBs) and Integrated Care Partnerships (ICPs).
• Dementia leads and other relevant professionals within the ICB or local council.
• Adult Social Care Cabinet members and leads.
• Voluntary Community Social Enterprises and Faith Organisations. 
• Other local partners involved in or delivering health and social care.  
  

Resources for people working in local government 

• Alzheimer's Society interactive Local Dementia Statistics webpage.
• Policy reports and briefings including:
  • Improving access to a timely diagnosis, May 2023.
    Examines the barriers to getting a timely and accurate diagnosis identified by people living with dementia, researchers and clinicians and builds a consensus on recommendations to overcome them.
  • Left to Cope Alone: the unmet support needs after a dementia diagnosis, June 2022.
    Over 2,000 people affected by dementia contributed to this report which highlights the impacts of inconsistent care on both the individual and the local health and care system. A practical framework of recommendations is included. 
  • Increasing access to a dementia diagnosis, September 2021.
    Three reports were published, each focusing on separate barriers to diagnosis: i) reducing regional variation, ii) supporting those from an ethnic minority community; iii) increasing diagnosis for people residing in a care home or hospital setting.  
• The Dementia Experience toolkit provides professionals with information and resources relating to engaging with local people with lived experience, evaluating dementia services, and communicating outcomes. 
• Find out about dementia support services in your local area.