A partnership on the Isle of Wight between local voluntary sector organisations is up for an award for its groundbreaking work on the Isle of Wight Dementia Strategy.

Organisations involved include Alzheimer Café Isle of Wight, Age UK Isle of Wight, Carers Isle of Wight, Healthwatch Isle of Wight, the Isle of Wight Council, Isle of Wight NHS Trust, NHS Hampshire and Isle of Wight, and Southern Health NHS Foundation Trust.

They have been shortlisted for a Place-based Partnership and Integrated Care Award by the prestigious national Health Service Journal (HSJ) Awards.

The recognition acknowledges the power of statutory and voluntary sector partners working together with a shared goal to provide the best care and support to those who need it most.

The work of the dementia strategy is said to have added significant value to dementia services on the Isle of Wight through a range of different projects.

The strategy has driven forward the development and delivery of bespoke dementia training programmes aimed at improving dementia understanding and care for staff working in the hospital, ambulance staff and the adult social care workforce.

To date more than 800 hospital and ambulance staff and 794 staff working in social care roles have completed the training.

Other improvements have seen the strategy driving changes in the memory service result in a 62 per cent increase in patient contact for assessments and aftercare.

The work of the outreach team has reduced the average length of stay from 313 days in 2021 to 62 days in 2023.

The partnership has also seen the development of a new Dementia Hub delivered by the Alzheimer Café IW, where people can access advice, support, day services and social opportunities.

The Acute Trust appointed two associate practitioners for dementia to support people in the hospital setting, providing activities, supporting discharge planning for people with dementia and delivering training.

Laura Gaudion, director of adult social care and housing at the Isle of Wight Council, said: “I am proud of the progress that has been made to improve the lives of people living with dementia, their families and carers, but there is still more to do and I will continue to support the implementation of our first system-wide Dementia Strategy.

"There are an estimated 2,814 people living with dementia on the Isle of Wight and this number is projected to increase by 26 per cent by 2030.

"Health and social care leaders have agreed that dementia must be one of our top priorities, and only by working together and listening to those who need our support can we ensure that people are able to live well with dementia on the Isle of Wight.”

Winners will be announced on November 21.