O’Neill Launches Dementia Learning And Development Framework

Health Minister Michelle O’Neill this evening launched the Dementia Learning and Development Framework in Parliament Buildings.

Health Minister Michelle O'Neill

Speaking at the launch the Minister said: “I am delighted to be given the opportunity to launch the Dementia Learning and Development Framework which I hope will make a major contribution to the lives of people living with dementia and their carers.” 

The production of the Learning and Development framework is part of the outworking of the Dementia Delivering Social Change initiative.  This initiative was launched in 2014 and aims to transform the design and delivery of dementia services in order to improve the quality of care and support for people living with dementia and their carers.  Funding for the project is provided jointly by the Executive and Atlantic Philanthropies. 

Concluding Minister O’Neill added: “It is vital that we have a well trained health and social care workforce to deliver high quality care for people with dementia.  This is the first Learning and Development Framework for Dementia in the North of Ireland, and provides a structure that will allow managers and staff to assess their training needs and those of their teams, and it will enable educational providers to design and deliver more effective training programmes. 

“I do hope that the Framework will provide an assurance to the public, that staff caring for those living with dementia have the right knowledge and skills to do their job well, to challenge the stigma that exists around dementia, and to improve communication skills with people with dementia.”

Notes to editors: 

1. It is estimated that there are 19,000 people in the North of Ireland living with dementia
2. Due to an ageing population this number is expected to rise to over 60,000 in the next thirty years 
3. The Delivering Social Change Dementia initiative was launched in September 2014 with a budget of £6.25m over a three year period.  It is funded jointly by the Executive and Atlantic Philanthropies
4. For further information please contact the DOH Press Office on 028 9052 0567 or out of office hours contact the Duty Press Officer via pager number 076 9971 5440 and your call will be returned.  Follow us on Twitter @healthdpt
5. The Dementia Learning and Development Framework can be found on the Health and Social Care Board website

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