GSLP-Liberals-Manifesto-2019

extend the ability of dementia patients
to remain in their own homes, so they
can have meaningful social contact
with their relatives. Our aim continues
to be that a patient diagnosed with
dementia engages with the Centre as
quickly as possible while their minds
are still in reasonably good shape.
Great attention to detail was taken
in all aspects of planning, and special
consideration was taken throughout,
to ensure that not only the facility
but also all furniture and equipment,
from design, to colour schemes are
dementia friendly.
HILLSIDES RESIDENTIAL HOME
An entirely new residential facility for
persons with Alzheimer’s and dementia
was opened on 24th April 2017. The
magnificent Hillsides is located at the
site of the old Royal Naval Hospital and
close to the Bella Vista Dementia Day
Centre. The new residential facility
provides care and accommodation for
52 patients diagnosed with dementia
and in need of full time, highdependency,
specialist care. Following
advice from UK specialists in the field
of dementia care, the Hillsides design
focused on maximizing the comfort
and wellbeing of patients. Features
such as en-suite bathrooms and
increased floor area in bedrooms and
communal areas were incorporated
into the designs, together with all
necessary equipment to give residents
the highest possible standards of care.
The construction phase presented
many challenges because the original
project, by the GSD, envisaged 92
beds. We took the decision to reduce
the number of beds to create a fitfor-purpose
facility with better and
more spacious living conditions. It
was crucial that we got things exactly
right, after inheriting plans, which
were described by medical experts as
‘displaying a shocking philosophy of
“quantity” rather than “quality”’.
As many of our community will have
now seen for themselves, Hillsides
boasts fully equipped kitchen areas,
snoezelen rooms, plus hairdressing
and chiropody services. There is also
a pleasant garden area with different
types of flowers and plants for sensory
stimulation. All rooms are colour coded
for dementia while furniture has been
specifically designed as recommended
by our UK dementia consultants. The
soft flooring throughout the building,
similar to that in toddler parks, and
signage is also dementia friendly.
There are also 8 beds available to
provide respite for family carers.
VULNERABLE ADULTS
This Government is unswervingly
committed to continue improving the
services for vulnerable adults within
our cherished elderly community.
We took the view that designs must
always have the best interests of the
residents at heart and insisted on the
new, fantastic design we see today.
Our community can rest assured
that care for vulnerable elements
in our community will continue to
be a top political priority for us. We
will continue to invest financial and
material resources to ensure that our
elderly can have dignified care and the
best possible quality of life.
DEMENTIA STRATEGY
Along with the Bella Vista Day Centre,
Hillsides was a key feature of the
GSLP/Liberal Government’s Dementia
Strategy, which was launched in 2016.
Only in September of this year, the
Government launched the updated
and revised National Dementia
Strategy, outlining key strategic
objectives. Some of these objectives
have already been met, such as the
opening of the new facilities, additional
bed capacity, training on dementia,
transferring dementia patents from an
acute hospital to a dementia friendly
environment, dementia awareness,
and introducing dementia training to
non-healthcare groups.
TRAINING
The Government continues to be
totally committed to training all
levels of the Elderly Care Services. In
collaboration with GHA professionals,
staff have received continuous inhouse
training in various areas of
nursing for elderly care. Accredited
modules have been delivered through
the School of Health Studies for Elderly
Care nursing staff. Staff from different
areas of the Service have, for the first
time, also been able to participate in a
“Potential Leaders and Management”
courses. Major training has been
carried out in Dementia “Train the
Trainer” courses. This training has
been enhanced with a particular
focus on dementia, in addition to the
introduction of accredited courses in
Recreational Activities. Palliative Care
and End of Life courses have also been
introduced.
ELDERLY CARE MEDICAL SERVICES
We provided funding so that 3 GPs
were recruited to work exclusively
within the Elderly Care Services to
provide daily medical specialist care
to residents of Gibraltar’s care homes.
We also decided to provide funding
for a Speech and Language Therapist,
an Occupational Therapist, and a
Consultant Geriatrician. An Elderly
Residential Services Medical Team
has, therefore, been formed. These
services allow residents to receive
an enhanced continuity of care by
familiar clinicians and aim at reducing
emergency House Calls by GPs from
the Primary Care Centre. Whilst at
the Bella Vista Day Centre, service
users are visited daily by a GP from
the Medical Team, staff from the Joint
Memory Clinic, psychiatrists, and
associated health care professionals.
These interventions mean that
whereas previously a person living
with dementia may have had to be
admitted to hospital in a crisis, their
situation can be effectively managed in
their own homes with the support of
a network of healthcare professionals
and their own families.
ACTIVITIES AND OUTINGS
We very quickly realised that there
was a serious need for more activity
co-ordinators, the number of which
we significantly increased. We have
ensured that the Elderly Care Services
has allocated a member of the activities
team specifically to the second floor
of Mount Alvernia, where there are,
principally, residents with dementia.
This member of staff permanently
organises activities tailored to the
cognitive capacities of the residents.
Outing activities are varied and there
is an internal health and safety policy
in place, the objectives of which are
to safeguard the residents and staff
when undergoing outings. The policy
sets out the roles and responsibilities
of staff members to ensure that
residents going on an outing are
well prepared, that the loading and
unloading of vehicles is carried out
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