Madam,

I am writing in response to an article in the Cambrian News on 22 November titled ‘Major investment in dementia care services’.

Despite it stating that work is already completed on developing specialist units including Llys Cadfan in Tywyn, sadly this does not appear to be the case as evidenced by individuals being transferred from their local communities away from family, friends and network support to nursing homes miles away from Tywyn.

There has been ongoing concern for several years regarding the lack of dementia care beds in the Meirionnydd area. As far back as 2009, dementia care was supposed to be prioritised in the council’s three-year strategic plan. This is evidenced by correspondence I received from the joint planning and commissioning manager of Gwynedd Council at the time.

Here we are in 2019 no further forward in being able to offer EMI beds in the local community for patients with advanced dementia to maintain their dignity and well-being close to their family and friends at a very difficult period of their lives.

How is travelling miles away with poor public transport in the best interests of an individual suffering with dementia? Local residents are being placed in Wrexham, Llangollen and Caernarfon. This has a massive impact on the quality of life of each individual and on the families concerned who are not able to spend time with their loved ones. I am aware of others in Tywyn who are similarly affected.

How can Llys Cadfan call itself a specialised dementia unit when it does not have the staff to provide this care, despite ongoing discussions to re-register to Care and Social Services Inspectorate Wales?

It would be reassuring to know that the promised investment needs to be put into effective use to provide the specialist care so badly needed by the local communities.

We have the Prime Minister going round the country telling us that the government has a great plan for the NHS, an aim being to reduce pressure on hospitals. What better way to achieve this than have families close by those who are suffering, in this case from dementia.

Yours etc,

Name and address supplied.

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