NZ Dementia Framework:

The NZDF is more of a best practice guidance for DHB’s to use when they develop their own region-specific dementia pathways. DHBs are expected to implement their dementia care pathways and develop regional governance groups. The Ministry’s annual planning process will monitor the progress of the development and implementation of these pathways.

There is no specific resourcing or budgeting associated with the recommended action points in the NZDF but implies the DHB’s need to implement and provide governance or monitoring and that the MoH will in turn monitor the DHBs.

The NZDF also comments on governance and monitoring.

Governance:

DHBs should develop regional and local governance groups to:

• help implementing their dementia care pathways in line with the framework,
• ensure that a wide range of expertise (e.g., secondary care, primary health care, allied health, community services, volunteer services, family and whānau) is involved in developing dementia care pathways and services at the local and regional level,
• ensure that new models of care, good practice examples and research are shared locally, regionally, and nationally,
• develop measureable outcomes of the pathways’ effectiveness,
• identify and facilitate national and regional collaboration opportunities,
• develop regional approaches for complex cases (e.g., alcohol or drug addiction related dementia, people with Down syndrome, young onset dementia and tertiary services).

Monitoring and evaluation should:

• include measurable outcomes,
• identify gaps and ensure improvements in dementia care and support,
• include national and international benchmarking,
• evaluate outcomes from the perspective of people with dementia and their families and whānau.

Dementia Action plan:

The dementia plan for 2020-2025 outlines 4 objectives with associated actions and suggested lead organisations, and are explicit that these are the most urgent ones to undertake.

The plan comments on factors required for successful implementation and notes that “Work is still needed on detail such as volumes, costs, outcomes and measures/indicators”.