NHS figures reveal more people with dementia are being admitted to A&E in Rochdale

The rate of emergency admissions to hospital for people with dementia in Rochdale has increased by 8.6% - from 2017 to 2018. More than 1415 people over the age of 65 and living with dementia in Rochdale were admitted to A&E in 2017 to 2018, an increase of almost 9% on figures from 2016 to 2017 (1302).

Now local carers and families are being sought to share their experiences and views on the NHS services supporting people living with dementia.

Independent health and care champion Rochdale has launched ‘What would you do?’ to encourage people in the borough to share their views about what changes to local NHS services should look like.

The Government has developed a ten year plan for the NHS covering the whole of England. Local organisations have now been asked to work out what changes will be made locally to help make the NHS better for local people.

With an estimated 1496 people living with dementia in Rochdale, it’s alarming to see so many of these people being admitted to A&E. Is this because they have nowhere else to go or that specialist dementia care is simply not available? Our role at Healthwatch is to ensure we gather views both good and bad from members of the public and then pass these on to the decision-making bodies who plan, pay for and run these services in Rochdale. It’s important that people have a say in how their local health and care service is run, so they can help shape it for the better

— Kate Jones, Healthwatch Rochdale Chief Executive Officer

Healthwatch Rochdale is also keen to hear from people about how other health services could improve, including those that support people with mental health conditions, cancer, heart and lung diseases, learning disabilities and autism. People can also share their views about how the NHS can help them stay well and take more control over their health and care.

People can also share their views via an online survey: https://www.surveymonkey.co.uk/r/ZFQC3QP

Representatives from the local NHS will also be carrying out engagement work with patients, staff and the community to encourage feedback on the local plan.