A Dementia Awareness Course for public servants and members of the essential services was organised by the Dementia Coordinator in conjunction with HMGoG’s Department of Personnel & Development Training & Strategic Development Team. This course forms part of the Government National Dementia Strategy (2023-2028) and took place at John Mackintosh Hall on Tuesday 24th September.   

The course, titled ‘Enabling people to live well with Dementia,’ is the first of 14 planned sessions and was delivered by the GHA Dementia Coordinator, Karen Truman. Employees from all areas of Public Service will have the option to register their interest to attend once the Training & Strategic Development Prospectus is launched. 

The course addressed objectives of HM Government of Gibraltar’s Dementia Strategy (2023-2028), which aims to provide the knowledge and skills to support people who are living with dementia to retain their ability to function independently, where possible, in the local community. The course also hopes to remove the stigma attached to people living with this condition, creating awareness that with the right support and understanding individuals can live well with dementia.  

The fundamental aim of this training is to educate and enhance awareness of dementia amongst employees operating public counters during their working day. Participants were provided with the relevant strategies and tools to recognise common symptoms and behaviours associated with this condition, to better assist them in their service delivery.  

Dementia Coordinator, Karen Truman, said: “We want to ensure that people with dementia can remain living in the local community for as long as they would like to and having staff who can recognise the signs and provide the correct support will hugely assist in this. Developing empathy and understanding of those living with dementia is extremely important and we should strive to achieve this on a daily basis.”

GHA Director General, Mr Kevin McGee, welcomed this initiative as part of the key objectives of the Gibraltar National Dementia Strategy (2023-2028) which seeks to enhance the quality of life for individuals living with dementia within the community. He said: “The GHA has a responsibility to ensure the well-being of people living with dementia and the Government Gibraltar National Dementia Strategy (2023-2028) will enable us to put the necessary support systems in place to ensure that individuals living with dementia can remain living within the community for as long as possible. The course is an excellent way of raising awareness and understanding with the public administration so that people living with dementia can access the services that they require.” 

The Minister for Health, the Hon Gemma Arias-Vasquez, said: “This course forms part of the Government’s National Dementia Strategy, enhancing care and support not only for patients but also for their families and the wider community. Our commitment is to make Gibraltar a more dementia-friendly place to live, ensuring that those affected by this condition receive the highest quality of care and understanding throughout their journey.”