NI Health Minister welcomes £6M dementia funding

Health Minister Edwin Poots has welcomed a funding boost for Dementia services in Northern Ireland.

The Minister acknowledged the funding from the Executive’s Delivering Social Change programme as he launched three projects designed to improve health and social care services for people living with dementia.

The Minister said: “In 2011 I launched the regional dementia strategy which is aimed at improving dementia services in Northern Ireland. Of course the successful implementation of the strategy requires financial resources, and the projects which we are launching today will provide a very welcome financial impetus to the implementation of several of the key actions laid down in the strategy. This funding boost is great news for people living with dementia.”

The three projects are Raising Awareness, Information and Support for people living with dementia; Training and Development for those in the caring professions, both formally and informally and Respite, Short Breaks & Support for Carers.

The Health Minister went on to describe the improvements which the projects will make in dementia services saying: “The three projects which are funded jointly by Atlantic Philanthropies and the NI Executive under the auspices of the Delivering Social Change Programme, will lead to a significant improvement in the quality of dementia care. It will support people living with dementia to maintain their independence and live well with the condition for as long as possible.

“It will result in an improved understanding of dementia in wider society, with benefits in primary and secondary prevention and reduced stigma.

“I would like to offer my sincere thanks to the funders of these projects and to those delivering dementia services throughout Northern Ireland.”