Tavistock’s MP Geoffrey Cox has pledged his full backing for a unique collaborative project in Tavistock.

This involves Tavistock Dementia Alliance, Dementia UK, Livewell South West, Devon Primary Care and Home Instead Tavistock and Tamar Valley.

Mr Cox said: ‘Many people with a dementia and their carers need easily accessible, responsive and coordinated support in our Tavistock community. Experience suggests integrated solutions to complex health and social issues are the most effective and sustainable way to meet the challenges faced by an increasing number of residents.

‘I strongly support this excellent project.’

Local consultant psychiatrist Stephen Pearson who is closely involved in the collective project endorses the MP’s sentiments. He said: ‘Dementia support services are patchy and unstructured. Sometimes the result is a crisis admission to hospital when a carer is no longer able to cope.

‘It is clear that investment in neighbourhood and community services is required. More support service is vital for West Devon and this co-operative partnership is much needed to provide personalised and co-ordinated care.’

It is intended that the West Devon group of GPs (West Devon Primary Care) will act as the host to a newly recruited admiral nurse who will be employed through Dementia UK by Live Well South-West, which is an independent, award winning social enterprise.

As the chairman of Tavistock Dementia Alliance Tony Parker said: ‘Admiral nurses provide specialist, one-to-one dementia support that families need. Neither Devon County Council nor the Clinical Commissioning Group currently provide funding for such a post, yet the necessity has been identified for some time.

‘We are all determined to raise the funding required and we will evidence, if any is needed, that by working together we can eventually provide a seamless dementia support service at all stages of the disease.’

Mr Cox is shortly to meet with the group to take forward the concept of this truly integrated service supporting those with a dementia and their carers in West Devon.

See page 5 of this week’s Times for an advert providing information on the project.