Flintshire Admiral Nursing Service Under Threat of Closure

The Admiral Nursing Service in Flintshire, and the only Admiral Nursing Service in Wales, is under threat of closure due to a lack of funding.

The service was set up in 2007 with funding from the Big Lottery Fund Grant, which has now run out. The future of the service now lies in the hands of the Betsi Cadwaladr University Health Board.

Jacky Baldini from the Flintshire Alzheimer's Society said, "It would be absolutely disastrous if we lost the Admiral Nurses. The Alzheimer's Society would do all it could to support them [carers], but it wouldn't be the same. They are absolutely crucial and we are just hoping something can be done to save them."

A spokesperson from the University Health Board stated that the service had never been funded by the NHS and that a decision on the future of the service will be addressed imminently but, "given the pressures on public finances, all applications for new NHS service developments need to be carefully prioritised within the funding that is made available."

Read more from The Leader and The Flintshire Chronicle.

Photo: The Flintshire Admiral Nurses at the Service Launch 2007. ©for dementia

Time for a Cuppa Day Events

Monday 1st February 2010 was Time for a Cuppa Day and hundreds of Tea Parties took place across the country in support of people affected by dementia.

A Flash Mob was organised by for dementia and took place at 3pm in Trafalgar Square, London (pictured). Tea and cuppa cakes were given out to raise awareness of dementia and in support of the Time for a Cuppa Day fundraising campaign. 

Time for a Cuppa Day was picked up by the media and carer Jean Tottie was on BBC Radio Leeds at 9am talking about Admiral Nurses and her Time for a Cuppa Day Event in Wakefield. At 11:25am, Dementia Pioneer Sue Hill was on BBC Radio Wiltshire talking about the Time for a Cuppa Day events taking place in the area and the work of the charity. 

Ferfoot Care Home in Wiltshire organised a fabulous tea party for residents, relatives and care staff and was joined by the Mayor of Chippenham, Councillor Sylvia Gibson and former Mayor of Chippenham Maureen Lloyd. Activities were organised by Tracey Hannam Irvin and included a Tea-Themed Treasure Hunt, a Musical Cake Walk and a prize raffle. Entertainment was provided by 3 lovely ladies from the Melksham House Concert Party.

Funds raised from Time for a Cuppa Events will go towards our helpline, Admiral Nursing DIRECT, which provides vital support and advice to carers and people with dementia who do not have access to a local Admiral Nursing Service. Call 0845 257 9406 or email direct@fordementia.org.uk

If you took part or organised your own Time for a Cuppa event, please let us know how it went!

Why for dementia needs your support for Time for a Cuppa Day.

Admiral Nursing Service to open in Kirklees

Kirklees Council and NHS Kirklees have agreed a strategy to provide residents access to dementia services. There are currently more than 4,000 people in Kirklees who are affected by dementia and this is predicted to increase by around 50 percent within the next 15 years.

The strategy is aimed at providing significant improvements in the quality of dementia care with emphasis on a greater understanding of the causes of dementia and the effects of caring for a loved one with dementia.

Councillor Molly Walton said," We want people with dementia and their carers to be able to live life to the full. The strategy we have agreed will give people the confidence to seek help early and to know where to go for help and what services they can expect."

The Kirklees Admiral Nursing Service will be funded by Kirklees Adult Services and they will provide support and advice to people living with dementia and their families to enable them to stay in their own homes for as long as possible. The Admiral Nurse Service will be based at the Memory Service at St Lukes Hospital, Huddersfield and Dewsbury District Hospital.

Find out more about the role of an Admiral Nurse.

Read more on Kirklees Council's website.