MEMBERS of a dementia group have spoken of their shock at the loss of the Alzheimer’s expert who has provided support to them for the last two years.
Nicky Tulloch, a dementia advisor with the Alzheimer’s Society, left the organisation after her contract wasn’t renewed.
Members of the Games For The Brain group, who meet at TCR Hub on Shaw Bank, Barnard Castle, say the loss of their adviser came out of the blue. They say they are furious they were not consulted over the move -“prompting an apology from the Alzheimer’s Society over its poor communication.
Alan Atkinson, who nursed his wife in the last years of her battle with dementia, said the group was shocked because members had grown very close to Ms Tulloch.
He said: “We have had a lot of support from people writing letters, but they (the Alzheimer’s Society) don’t take any notice.
“We all think the world of her. She is a very caring person, as simple as that. Why didn’t they come down and see how she works?”
Cliff Brown, who joined the group a few months ago after he was diagnosed with dementia, added: “Basically we want an indication as to why [she was let go], because she is one of the best qualified people they have.
“We’ve had no consultation. You would think that at least we would have a whiff of it.
“We can’t understand why they have got rid of one of the most competent people in their organisation.”
Dr Sally Davies, a former molecular biologist who now volunteers for the group, confirmed that an appeal hearing was held for Ms Tulloch but the outcome would only be known later this month.
In the meantime, the group decided to celebrate the support provided by Ms Tulloch with a buffet in her honour this week.
Mr Atkinson said: “We decided to change tack because we are not getting anywhere. We decided we would have a buffet for Nicky and we want to give notice to the Alzheimer’s Society, because we don’t think they are going to put anything on for her.
“We would like to see her back in her job.”
Amanda Short, operations manager for Alzheimer’s Society, said: “I have met with service users and listened to their concerns, and they have been taken on board.
“It is clear from the discussions we have had that our communication about changes affecting the dementia adviser service could have been clearer.”
“However, I have assured all involved that measures will now be put in place to keep service users fully informed going forward.
“What I would emphasise is that the service itself remains in place and we are committed to ensuring it is accessible to anyone who needs it.”
Fears the town is ‘falling to back of queue’
PROGRESS is being made in a scheme to make Barnard Castle more dementia friendly – despite fears the town is falling to “the back of the queue” .
Barnard Castle’s quest to become a “dementia friendly town” began in 2015 after volunteers teamed up with the Alzheimer’s Society to get the scheme off the ground.
Dementia cafes, Games For the Brain sessions and training for staff at firms in the town have helped keep the scheme ticking over.
Town councillor Ian Kirkbride, who heads the steering group for the initiative, was pleased with progress being made at Barnard Castle Town Council’s annual meeting last week.
But he echoed concerns from others about the town being left behind by some other county-wide schemes.
He said: “It’s something that adds to the feeling we are falling to the back of the queue. Durham and Darlington Fire and Rescue Service (DDFRS) advertise safety and wellbeing visits – well beyond just checking smoke alarms, they do a checklist of all sorts of things like slips, trips and falls and other checks.
“So we were aware of this service but of course we have a retained fire service and so we do not get the level of visits. In fact we do not get any, compared with those in more urban parts of the county.
“So it’s another example of where we are trying to enhance our status but we’re running into some problems – albeit in a different area of service.”
But a spokesperson from DDFRS said this was “absolutely not the case” .
She added: “We carry out safe and wellbeing visits right across Barnard Castle – the same as in any other area in County Durham and Darlington.
“There is no difference because of the retained station.
“If people want to request a visit they can.”
The free service offered by DDFRS sees trained staff carry out fire hazard assessment of homes and fit free smoke alarms in a 20 minute appointment.
Requests for the fire visits can be made by ringing 0845 2234221 or ringing the fire service headquarters on 0845 305 8383 and asking for the community safety department.
Alternatively, visits can be arranged online by going to https://www.ddfire.gov.uk/free-safe-and-wellbeing-visit
