Black, minority ethnic and refugee (BMER) communities and the National Dementia Strategy: the London experience

Author: Truswell, David

Source: Diversity in Health and Care, Volume 8, Number 2, June 2011 , pp. 113-119(7)

Publisher: Radcliffe Publishing Ltd.

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Abstract:

This article examines the role of black, minority ethnic and refugee (BMER) communities in the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy in London. Although recent government policy in health and social care has highlighted the need for local partnerships across sectors to deliver improved healthcare and reduce health inequalities, there has been limited research on dementia in minority ethnic groups. Despite the cosmopolitan mix of the capital's population, BMER communities have historically been marginalised from strategic health initiatives. This article highlights the work undertaken by the London Region Dementia Implementation Task Group to support commissioner engagement with BMER communities in planning dementia services, and to help these communities to have more influence on the implementation of the National Dementia Strategy in London. The potential health access and economic risks of failing to improve the involvement of BMER communities in planning dementia care are outlined.

Keywords: BME COMMUNITY; COMMISSIONING; COMMUNITY ENGAGEMENT; DEMENTIA; REFUGEE COMMUNITY

Document Type: Research article

Publication date: 2011-06-01

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