Funding for 12 Lincolnshire dementia schemes to be axed by end of the year

Funding for 12 dementia support schemes across Lincolnshire will end from December 2016.

South West Lincolnshire CCG has made the decision not to renew funding for the Lincolnshire Dementia Support Network.

The network was initially launched in 2015, with £167,000 of funding administered to 12 projects across the county to support people with dementia.

CCG bosses have pointed to a lack of funding and demands on budgets becoming more difficult to balance year on year as a reason for their decision.

Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust’s Community Partnerships Team, who administer the network on behalf of the CCG will be working closely with the projects currently funded to see if there are alternative sources of funding.

Services currently provided by the Dementia Family Support Services and the Dementia Action Alliances across Lincolnshire will not be affected by this decision.

Colin Warren, head of commissioning for mental health at South West Lincolnshire CCG, said: “Decisions on withdrawing funding for services such as the Dementia Support Network are never taken lightly.

“We have a finite budget and it is not possible for us to continue to fund all services for those who suffer with dementia.”

‘False economy’

Councillor Patricia Bradwell. Photo: Stuart Wilde

Lincolnshire County Council has criticised the NHS for its decision.

Councillor Patricia Bradwell, executive member for adult care at the council, said: “We know the NHS is under financial pressure but it’s false economy to decommission dementia services.

“Despite the NHS’s decision, we’re going continue using that money to fund schemes to support people with dementia.”

Jane Marshall, director of strategy and performance at Lincolnshire Partnership NHS Foundation Trust, said: “We recognise that support in the local community from charities and voluntary groups plays a vital role in helping people live well in their community.

“Help is available through a number of groups via our Managed Care Network which has just received a boost of over £300,000 in Mental Health Promotion funding.

“Applications for future Mental Health Promotion Funding will be opened up to dementia projects going forward so we can continue to support this vital support network.”