Royal Mail – Strictly Confidential

ROYAL MAIL CHIEF EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE
Date of CEC: 15thFebruary 2017
Subject: / South West Rural Dementia Pilot
Photo: / Author/Sponsor:
/ Dr Shaun Davis.
Contributors / Presenters:
Judith Grant.
Val Mann and Ian Sheriff (Plymouth University).
Roland Gude (Sentinel Healthcare Trust).
For: / Decision / Guidance / Noting / USPA5 Sensitive Material / Yes / No / N/A
 / 
Context
As part of Royal Mail Group’s ongoing commitment to the support of mental wellbeing at work, it is important to consider a wider range of health conditions that may affect employees and their families. Dementia can be a distressing illness for both the individual experiencing the illness and for family or friends who are supporting them, and therefore raising awareness of symptoms and support can have a positive impact on both Royal Mail employees and the communities in which we work.
Dementia is a term that describes a set of symptoms that may include memory loss, difficulties with thinking, problem-solving or language that can impact on the daily lives of those affected. Currently, over 850,000 people in the UK live with dementia however it is predicted that by 2050 the number of people in the UK aged 60 and over who will be living with dementia will reach 2.0 million.(1) The economic cost to the UK of caring for people with dementia is correspondingly estimated to grow from £23.6 billion in 2014 to a central projection of £59.4 billion by 2050.(2)
The risk of developing dementia increases with age and while current treatments act to alleviate the symptoms of dementia they do not halt the disease process. Dementia is now the leading cause of death in England and Wales, largely due to an ageing population.(3) People aged 65 and over comprise 23% of the rural population however, with some choosing to retire to the countryside the percentage of older people can be as high as 56% of the total population for that area.(4)
The South West of England has 84,413 people with dementia, one of the highest levels in the country (Table 1).
Table 1: Dementia Across the UK - numbers of people with dementia in UK regions (1)Based on 2013 data.
North East / North West / Yorkshire and Humber / East Midlands / West Midlands / East of England / London / South East / South West
34,289 / 89,783 / 67,630 / 60,254 / 73,406 / 82,516 / 72,009 / 121,512 / 84,413
Due to the geography of the region, it is likely that there will be people living in rural locations who are affected by dementia or who care for someone with the condition. Rural isolation and infrastructures influence the sustainability of rural communities and exacerbate the challenges of living well with dementia.
Early diagnosis is key for people with dementia in order to access support services and treatment which may allow that person to “live well” with the disease. Raising awareness and identification of at risk people is key and dementia friendly communities that understand how to help is a positive step in this process. In 2012 the former Prime Minister David Cameron launched Dementia 2012: A National Challenge which prioritised the creation of dementia friendly communities.
The South West has been proactive in establishing a dementia friendly community network in rural areas that incorporates a number of stakeholders as shown in Figure 2. This community network provides support for people living with dementia, their families and carers. The network also acts as an early warning system,picking up changes in people who may be at risk, living in rural areas. Royal Mail employees are a key part of rural communities and are ideally placed to participate in a dementia friendly community network.
Figure 2: Existing Dementia Friendly Community Network stakeholders.

Question
  1. Will Royal Mail support theSouth West Rural Dementia Pilot?
Conclusion
1. The Pilot would require Royal Mail employees to:
  • Engage in training: Nationally recognised dementia awareness training (Dementia Friends) will be provided by Ian Sherriff and Val Mann, from Plymouth University, along with an in depth project briefing for the team. Selected Royal Mail employees, who volunteer to take part, would become part of the dementia friendly community network in a pilot scheme operating in Tavistock and South Hams (covered by postcodes PL19 and PL8); and
  • Observation: The awareness training would give Royal Mail employees, who are part of the pilot project, confidence in recognising the issues associated with dementia and any concerns observed during normal working practice could be passed to the community network. This would be facilitated by completion of a simple tick box card provided by the Dementia Network team. Employees would then be asked to deposit competed cards at the local sorting office in a sealed collection box. The cards would be collected by the local GP surgery on a daily basis, where appropriate. In this way the impact on the day to day work load for staff would be minimised.
Training would require 1-hour commitment for staff involved in the pilot project, this can be delivered in a Work Time Listening and Learning session (WTLL). Training will be delivered at the place of work or appropriate venue as decided by Royal Mail. The pilot would not impede or impact on Royal Mail staff normal daily working practice.
Collaboration from DOMs, DSMs and local Union Representatives for the pilot would be required in the postcode areas indicated.
The South West Rural Dementia Pilot team would provide contact numbers and would be available to answer questions and provide ongoing support for staff involved in the pilot at all stages. The pilot will run for 12 to 18 months, depending on the update of the scheme.
References
  1. Alzheimer’s Society 2014 (
  2. The Trajectory of Dementia in the UK – Making a Difference. Lewis et al. A Report for Alzheimer’s Research UK by the Office of Health Economics. June 2014;
  3. Deaths registered in England and Wales (Series DR): 2015. Contact: Vasita Patel. Office of National Statistics 2015; and
  4. Cognitive Function and Ageing Study II (CFAS II) (

Recommendation: (if decision required):
N/A

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