This report shares findings from a South West study into the factors that achieved real change and improvement for people living with dementia, their carers and families. It focuses on change in complex systems, approaches to leadership, the relevance of shared values, and in particular on the human factors that have contributed to real success.
Background
This study was commissioned by the South West Dementia Partnership in 2011/12, with a view to understanding better those factors that achieved real change and improvement for people living with dementia, and their carers/families.
Four communities in the South West were identified to participate in the study, in recognition of the pace of change and improvement that had been achieved in those localities: we wanted to capture the learning with a view to this being shared more widely. A case study methodology was selected in order to explore in depth the many factors that have contributed to local, and indeed regional achievements.
Our thanks are extended to dementia partnerships in Cornwall and Isles of Scilly, Somerset, Bristol and Gloucestershire for the time and attention they have given to this endeavour. Throughout the report are the voices of people living with dementia, and their carers/families: our thanks are extended to all who have contributed.
This report highlights committed, sustained and ambitious action on the part of local commissioners and their partners to ensure that the needs of people living with dementia, and their carers/families, are understood and addressed. It focuses on change in complex systems, approaches to leadership, the relevance of shared values, and in particular on the human factors that have contributed to real success. Most importantly, the study identifies factors that the new NHS commissioning system may build on, and benefit from.