Shetlands dementia services set for major revamp

A major effort to transform Shetland into a dementia friendly community over the next three years has received enthusiastic backing from local councillors.

The Shetland News reported that Shetland Islands Council’s social services committee has put its weight behind an action plan to improve dementia provision in the isles as a matter of urgency after reading a highly critical report on the issue.

A working group is being set up immediately to examine what is going wrong with the local dementia service and devise a strategy to keep sufferers living at home for as long as possible.

The news comes on the back of a new report from Stirling University which found serious problems in the way the disease in the isles is handled.

Councillors acknowledged the report made “uncomfortable reading”, but they welcomed its findings including comments from staff that they felt unsupported by politicians and senior management.

Shetland North member Alastair Cooper said: “We have to make sure this is implemented to the highest level possible because that way it shows that we care.

“But we have to respect the fact that there is folk that think we don’t care, whereas as individuals we all care passionately about folk in the community.”

Social services committee chairman Cecil Smith said discussions were already underway to find a four bed unit for people going through acute short term crises, but added that specialist training would also be required.

There are also plans to develop an online directory to highlight the services on offer, which have improved recently with the involvement of Alzheimer Scotland.