Dementia will affect us all – allow care home to proceed

Let's take Green Acres, as it is a subject dear to my heart.

It is more than clear that the majority of the public want this to move forward to happen – that is because they have common sense and can see it is wise and sensible to allow a development in a totally rundown and dilapidated former hotel (have you seen the state of it recently?) to be changed into an essential, specialist dementia home, with no cost to the States.

Please let me be clear, I am not against tourism – in fact, I actively welcome it, recognising it as part of what our economy tries to thrive on. Hotels that are appropriate need encouragement and support, but we must deliver the type of hotels the public is asking for and Green Acres does not tick that particular box. But listening to news in the last week of air links that are being cut back further, please can someone tell me how that is to bolster our tourist trade and encourage new visitors? It is expensive enough to get here, never mind it being made more and more difficult.

Yes, the Green Acres proposal is a private development, but it will have States-rates beds as well as private ones.

Specialist dementia care is very expensive to provide as it takes special training and skill sets to deliver dignified, top-dollar care, and that is only what is right and proper.

Dementia patients need to be and should be cared for on a different site to gently ageing people – that is widely recognised in the medical world.

The States, however, have taken well over 18 months to cogitate first a no then another no, and because we know this is the right way forward we have fought hard to keep it in the public eye, yet still we don't have an answer – what is going on? Is there a hidden agenda? Is someone standing in the way? Is this bloody-mindedness? I leave you to choose, as I have no idea...

What worries me is this: we have all seen the terrifying projected figures for the future of dementia.

The States have had their heads in the sand since 2008, when I believe this important subject was flagged up in HSSD that this would soon be a very real need here in the island.

A little gentle delving will show very easily that the UK Government and indeed David Cameron are driving forward hard with dementia work, as they have recognised it is a massive problem looming for the health service.

It's a fact that there are many dementia sufferers here in Guernsey who currently cannot be placed in appropriate care because there is already a waiting list for the only specialist unit we have.

There is only one specialist dementia care home here in Guernsey, it is private and run by the Methodists – Maison de Quetteville. I should know, my mother is in there.

I have been inundated since the inception of the online petition I started earlier this year by carers, both professional and 'family' carers, who bemoan the lack of support/availability in this very sensitive area of our daily lives.

The professional carers say it is very depressing and the family members report a huge emotional toll on their own personal lives. Green Acres would also offer respite for them – so very important.

Of course, there are many other conditions that need specialist care, but you will not convince me there are more people with 'other' single conditions than there are current dementia sufferers – most people have no idea what a massive problem it is.

Have you spent a day/night with a dementia sufferer?

Have you had the heart-breaking job of telling your relative that this silent disease has stolen their freedom?

Have you had to rescue someone who has wandered off in confusion, because the care home 'can't keep their eye on everyone'?

Have you? If you have, you will totally understand what I am talking about.

If you haven't, then I suggest you do some reading, as it may well affect you at some point in your life.

Come on, States, wake up and make this decision less painful than it has been up to now and for goodness sake, when the next request comes for another needed home, please don't take so long to make the right decision to allow it – after all, I am sure there is someone in your family who is suffering right now, although you may not know it yet.

Do you feel strongly? Well please lobby your deputies – we have to make our voices heard.

SARAH GRIFFITH,

Le Petit Menage,

La Gibauderie,

St Peter Port,

GY1 1XP.