Lincolnshire Dementia service cuts
People would instead be referred to other general support services commissioned by the council
A dementia advice service used by hundreds of people is set to be scrapped by Lincolnshire County Council over concerns it is “duplicating” costs.
The Memory Support Service offers advice to people living with dementia and similar cognitive illnesses, as well as their families and carers.
People would instead be referred to other general support services commissioned by the council.
A health committee meeting on Friday (February 27) heard concern from some councillors that patients would struggle to get the support they need elsewhere.
The service, which is provided by Lincolnshire Partnership Health Foundation on behalf of the council, costs £300,000 per year and 250 people are referred there every month.
Martin Samuels, the council’s executive director for adult care, said: “This is a good service and is valued by people who draw on it.
“However, there are a range of other council information and advice services which aren’t specific to dementia but have capability to deliver this same role.
“In this current financial context, we can’t afford any duplication.”
He denied the suggestion was political, saying: “I would be making this recommendation regardless of the political hue of the administration.”
Councillors were told the cut was unlikely to cause extra pressure on the other services, but this would be monitored.
Reform committee members said they saw a good opportunity to cut duplication and save money, although others were unconvinced.
Conservative Councillor Sue Woolley said cutting a service that over 200 people relied on each month “didn’t feel like a sensible idea”.
Independent Councillor Marianne Overton said she was “not convinced” the service was a duplicate, and pointed out that the council “didn’t take the tax it could have in the budget.”
The Memory Support Service has run since 2015, and the contract is due to expire at the end of June 2026.
The final decision will be made next month by Councillor Steve Clegg, the executive member for adult social care health.