£400,000 boost for health

A NEW model of support for older people with mental-health difficulties is being developed across Oldham following a £400,000 investment.

Pennine Care NHS Foundation Trust and Oldham Clinical Commissioning Group are working in partnership on the project which will see the money being spent on expanding services for people with dementia.

All patients diagnosed with dementia will be offered a memory liaison practitioner to provide an initial care plan, ongoing contact and an annual review of their condition. Memory clinics will also be held in GP practices, with mental-health staff and GPs working together to assess patients’ needs.

Patients will be offered a 10-week support and education programme to help them understand and come to terms with their diagnosis, as well as psychology, occupational therapy and speech and language therapy all from the same service.

The service will also provide support for carers who can attend education and support groups as well as drop-in sessions, which will be a place they can talk about their issues in confidence.

Both initiatives are expected to be running by the end of the year.

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