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Consultation begins for National Dementia Strategy

Proposals have been put forward by the Department of Health to improve the quality of demntia care and provide more help for people with dementia. The Department of Health has begun a consultation for the first ever National Demential Strategy.

The strategy will be launched in the Autumn of 2008 and will have three main aims:

to increase awareness of dementia and remove the stigma associated with it
ensure early diagnosis and intervention
improve the quality of care that is received

There are currently an estimated 570,000 people with dementia in England and this figure is expected to double in the next 30 years.

In addition to the proposals, the Government has also announced a number of immediate actions, which include:

an immediate review into the prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs which is expected to be completed before the publication of the strategy
a summit with key stakeholders and research organisations to consider a planned programme of research into dementia
consult on the appointment of a named 'Dementia Care Advisor' to be the single contact throughout diagnosis and treatment
consider more memory clinics to give information and learning techniques for improving the memory for people with dementia
engage with stakeholders on the recommendation for care homes and actue hospitals to have a key staff member identified as responsible for handling dementia patients

Health Minister, Ivan Lewis, said:

"Dementia is a condition affecting an increasing number of families in our society and is one of the greatest challenges now facing NHS and social care services. That is why this first ever national dementia strategy is so important. It will set out how we will improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families, improve the quality of care dementia sufferers receive, increase awareness of the condition and ensure earlier diagnosis and intervention."

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said:

"It's time to drag dementia care out of the dark ages and change the way we treat some of our most vulnerable older people. The Department's actions and proposals are a great start. The review of antipsychotic drugs to stop dangerous over prescription to people with dementia is urgently needed. The research summit is also a crucial opportunity to address the fact that dementia research is drastically underfunded in the UK."

A recent report by the King's Fund, Paying the Price, estimated the future cost of mental healt services to 2026, found that dementia would see the largest increase in the number of people diagnosed. The associated costs with dementia was also estimated to make up 73% of all mental health costs compared to 66% in 2007.

Date: 4 July 2008

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Consultation begins for National Dementia Strategy

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