RCPsych in Wales has welcomed the launch of a consultation by the Welsh Government on its , describing it as an important opportunity to help shape the future of our nation's dementia services and support.
The draft document is intended to provide early engagement on the content of the final Dementia Strategy, which will be published following the Senedd election in May 2026. RCPsych in Wales encourages its members and stakeholders to engage with the consultation and contribute their views.
The Welsh Government has identified seven priority areas of focus for the next strategy, recognising the importance of a whole-system approach:
- Risk reduction and prevention in dementia
- Raising awareness and understanding of dementia
- Improving dementia diagnosis, treatment, care and support
- Supporting unpaid carers of people living with dementia
- Supporting the workforce
- Supporting dementia research and innovation
- Suitable governance and accountability arrangements to ensure the strategy is delivered
RCPsych in Wales particularly welcomes the Welsh Government’s commitment to co-producing the new Dementia Strategy and allowing sufficient time for meaningful engagement with partners and people with lived experience throughout its development.
Professor Sharmi Bhattacharyya, Chair of RCPsych in Wales’ Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry, said:
“We warmly welcome this consultation and the clear commitment to co-production that underpins it. Dementia affects individuals, families, carers and communities across Wales, and it is essential that the voices of people with lived experience, alongside clinicians and professionals, are central to shaping the final strategy. This is a crucial opportunity to set an ambitious, evidence-based direction for dementia care and support over the next decade.”
RCPsych in Wales continues to play an active role in improving dementia care and policy in Wales, including work that has informed the draft strategy and will shape its final form.
This includes the development of a Dementia Care Pathway and Competence Framework to improve early diagnosis, access to treatment and consistency of care across Wales. This work is supported by the National Collaborating Centre for Mental Health (NCCMH), Alzheimer’s Society Cymru and a multidisciplinary expert reference group. We are also pleased to sit on the Welsh Government’s Dementia Care and Welsh Language Group.
The consultation closes on 3 April 2026. We look forward to responding in due course and continuing to work collaboratively with our members, the Welsh Government and partners to improve outcomes for people living with dementia in Wales.
For further information, please contact:
- Email: dafydd.huw@rcpsych.ac.uk
- Web: /wales
- Contact Name: Dafydd Huw
- Twitter:
- Out-of-hours contact number: 02922 33 1080