Meeting of the Parliament 01 March 2023 [Draft]
The issues to be addressed by the strategy also include the gaps between policy and practice, the postcode lottery impact on the provision of support—which has been spoken about—workforce issues, education and training, and the trauma of diagnosis.
The change that is needed was summed up by one response that said:
“In my humble opinion, focus has to move away from entertaining people with dementia to empowering people with dementia by putting the foundations in place to allow someone like me to be more independent which in turn will enable me and my family to contribute both socially and financially to society and to live well as a family with dementia.”
From the responses that were shared with us, we know that a means of overcoming self-stigma following diagnosis was being able to talk to others who had gone through the same process.
Last night, on the Alzheimer Scotland website, I read “Tony’s Story”, which is a blog about Tony‘s experience with dementia. The Tony in question is Tony Worthington, who was the MP for Clydebank and Milngavie from 1987 until 2005. Since his diagnosis, he has been active in influencing policy through his involvement with the Scottish dementia working group. In recognition of the importance that sharing his story could have in tackling stigma, he has spoken publicly about his experience. It did not surprise me to see him doing that, because I have always greatly respected him and his desire to seek justice for his constituents. I put on record my admiration of his sharing his experience for the benefit of others.
Scotland has a track record of supporting people with dementia, as is shown by our commitment to provide immediate support in the first year after people receive a dementia diagnosis. The new dementia strategy is a real opportunity to build on and improve the provision of support and assistance. It is also a chance to shape change in a way that those who are impacted by dementia want.