Vital Local Dementia Support Service Under Threat
Living with Dementia
As of 2024 there are estimated to be nearly a million folk living with dementia in the UK, projected to be 1.4 million by 2040. That equates to 7000 new diagnoses a month. It currently takes six months, after GP referral, to get a diagnosis. As many will know this is a debilitating, isolating disease, affecting not only the sufferer but the carers and family around them.
Supporting Dementia
In 2018/19, I wrote ten monthly articles on the subject of dementia support, the last one in the June 2019 edition of the Kibworth and District Chronicle. I pointed out the lack of support at the time and the need for the NHS to address the issue. Prior to my articles, I had become a ‘Dementia Champion’ and set out to understand the plight of those who were unfortunate enough to be living with this progressive and mostly untreatable disease.
I subsequently joined a fundraising group in the north of Leicester, who had set out to raise funds for community, dementia specialist, Admiral Nurses, for Leicestershire. We raised over £200,000 for Dementia UK (who appoint the nurses) who then funded two Admiral Nurses in Charnwood, Lutterworth, and later one in Market Harborough & Kibworth.
Sadly, due to lack of GP practice funds, these full- time services were not sustainable. However, Dementia UK has continued to provide a skeleton monthly service in Market Harborough and Kibworth.
Six years after my highlighting dementia, I was dismayed to hear recently that these reduced, yet much-needed, services are under used, despite the obvious need. I feel it must be lack of marketing and advertising.
Although they are based in the Market Harborough and Kibworth practices, they are operated by Dementia UK.
You can self refer
You can self-refer by logging online www.dementiauk.org/information-and-support/how-we-can-support-you/admiral-nurse-clinics/market-harborough-admiral-nurse-clinic or just go to the Dementia UK website and search for ‘Admiral Nurse Market Harborough’.
You can book an appointment in Kibworth or Market Harborough. You will get a consultation with an Admiral Nurse to discuss any worries you may have pre or post diagnosis.
Valuable service for many
This valuable service is for patients and carers alike. If you know anyone who may benefit, please pass on this information, so that this face to face service can be maintained.
If you just want to speak to an Admiral Nurse on the phone, their helpline 08008886678
Dementia UK- www.dementiauk.org
Graham Thompson
Illston-on-the-Hill WI – Jun ’25
