NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY CARE TO VISIT DEWSBURY SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

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Services for older people with mental health problems will be spotlighted this week as part of a visit to West Yorkshire by the National Director for Primary Care.

Dr David Colin-Thome, will be visiting The Priestley Unit at Dewsbury District Hospital, to witness first hand the innovative work of two teams providing care for older people with dementia and other mental health problems.

The Continuing Care Team works with people in nursing and residential homes, and through their award winning work have been successful in reducing admissions to hospital.

The Priestley Day Unit is running education sessions for those who care for people diagnosed with dementia – helping them to understand the illness and cope in a very practical way.

Both teams are managed by South West Yorkshire Mental Health Trust.

Dr Colin-Thome said: "I am delighted to be coming to Dewsbury to hear from clinicians, managers and older people’s champions what is going on, the good practice they can share and also the problems and obstacles they face.

"As a national director, part of my role is to develop, encourage and support staff delivering NHS services through this crucial period of change as we modernise health and social care services for older people."

Dr Colin-Thome will also attend a workshop in Leeds in the afternoon, accompanied by Ian Philp, National Director of Older People’s Services.

NATIONAL DIRECTOR OF PRIMARY CARE TO VISIT DEWSBURY SERVICES FOR OLDER PEOPLE

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