A NEW strategy to tackle dementia in Swindon has moved a step nearer after being approved by the council’s Health and Wellbeing Board.

The programme aims to improve the quality of life for the 2,000 people in the town who currently have dementia, as well as those who are diagnosed with the condition in the future.

A draft document outlining possible changes was debated during the board’s meeting, which took place yesterday at the Civic Offices.

The board backed the five-year plan, which will now go before the council’s cabinet and Swindon Clinical Commissioning Group’s governing body for approval.

Cherry Jones, Swindon Council’s deputy director of public health, said the plan had wide-ranging implications for dementia care.

“We have developed the strategy based on the findings of the Dementia Joint Strategic Needs Assessment published last year,” she said. “The purpose of this strategy is to set out the vision for Swindon to help those with dementia, and their carers, to allow them to live long fulfilling lives.”

Some of the programme’s key priorities include; improving awareness of dementia, speeding up diagnosis of the condition and providing more at-home care for sufferers.

Another of the strategy’s aims is to develop dementia-friendly communities, with shops and businesses provided with help to identify those with the condition and provide help where necessary.

“Part of the plan will see us working with employers and employees to offer dementia awareness training as we want the community to have an active role in this,” said Cherry.

“With us having around 2,000 people with dementia, it is essential that we all come together on this issue.”

If the strategy goes forward it will be regularly assessed to ensure that it is successful with a steering group, consisting of the council and health organisations, monitoring the progress.

Gavin Jones, the council’s chief executive, said the changes were vital.

“This is a key strategy of the health and wellbeing board and is clearly very welcome,” he said.

If the programme is approved, it is hoped that it could be introduced later this year.