Most people, when asked about their preferred place of care, would choose to be treated at home or in the community.
Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey believe this too, and whenever possible, provide assessment, treatment and care in people’s own homes rather than in hospital or residential care.
We also want to put more emphasis on those with low and moderate needs and the older population in general. However, we recognise that conditions such as dementia are progressive and we need to meet their needs in the right place at the right time. Where it is not possible to meet the needs or manage risk of people with dementia or other mental health problems in a community setting, then long-term care may be provided.
We need to make a significant investment in home care services to increase the range, capacity and performance of community mental health services, reduce hospital admissions and the length of inpatient stays in hospitals.
We are proposing that this come from a gradual reduction in the number of dedicated mental health and general hospital beds and believe it is right and safe to do so.
Between September 2008 and March 2009 a consultation was undertaken on proposals to change local mental health hospital facilities for people who need 24 hour assessment and treatment for mental ill health, alcohol and drug problems or learning disabilities. In August 2009 it was agreed to develop new hospitals on existing sites in Guildford and Chertsey and build a new facility in Redhill. The proposals in this strategy build on this decision.
We are conscious that in the current economic climate we may not be able to carry out the whole strategy in one go and have developed a draft priority implementation plan for the next five years to meet the objectives as far a possible.
The top three factors people with mental health needs said are important to their quality of life are:
• relationships and having someone to talk to
• their surroundings
• physical health
The work of carers is invaluable in helping people achieve these aims. Surrey County Council and NHS Surrey are making sure people with dementia and their carers can take an active role
in the development and prioritisation of local services to support this.
There are a number of services to support and help the estimated 100,000 carers in Surrey. Details can be found on
the Help Advice and Contacts page.
Carers have told us that people with dementia may be unaware that they are affected by dementia themselves. We will make sure that the services we provide recognise the importance of this issue so that they meet the needs of both the carer and the individual being cared for.
Carers (UK) definition.