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More help for people with dementia

DEPARTMENT OF HEALTH News Release issued by The Government News Network on

Consultation on Future for Dementia Care and Review on the use of Anti-Psychotic Drugs

Health Minister Ivan Lewis today outlined proposals to improve the quality of dementia care and provide more help for people with dementia, as he launched a consultation on the first ever National Dementia Strategy.

The full Strategy, to be launched in the Autumn, 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 people with dementia receive

Dementia can be a devastating disorder for those who develop the illness and the families that care for them. There are currently an estimated 570,000 people with dementia in England, and this figure is expected to double in the next 30 years.

The Government's announcement today includes a number of immediate actions, as well as other proposals which will be consulted on over the coming months. These include:

- An immediate review into the prescribing and use of anti-psychotic drugs to treat sufferers of dementia. This work will be completed before the publication of the National Dementia Strategy in the Autumn.

- The government will hold a summit over the summer with key stakeholders and research organisations to consider a planned programme of research into dementia and the potential for further development.
- Consult on the appointment of a named 'Dementia Care Advisor' to be the single contact throughout diagnosis and treatment for people with dementia
- Consider the establishment of more memory clinics, where patients can get information about their condition, as well as learning techniques for improving their memory
- Engage with stakeholders on the recommendation for care homes and acute hospitals to have a key staff member identified as responsible for handling dementia patients, which will help care homes move away from drug-related therapies for tackling dementia
This is only part of a wider package of measures the government is taking to improve the lives of older people, including a 3 year social care transformation programme supported by £500 million, the Dignity in Care campaign, the review of No Secrets and amending the Health and Social Care Bill to strengthen protection of the elderly in care homes.

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.

"The consultation is about ensuring the final strategy we publish in the autumn truly fulfils my commitment to bring dementia out of the shadows."

Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said:

"Today is a landmark day for people with dementia and their carers, as the Government recognises dementia as a national priority. Dementia is a devastating condition caused by diseases of the brain, yet only a third of people ever receive a diagnosis and families are often left to cope alone until they reach crisis point.

"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.

"The Alzheimer's Society looks forward to leading the fight against dementia by working with the Government, NHS and local authorities to make this ambitious plan a reality."

The National Dementia Strategy is part of the wider package of measures the Government is taking to improve the lives of elderly people, including people with dementia. We have already launched the "Worried about your memory" campaign to increase awareness of dementia and are taking action through the publication of the Carers Strategy, the review of No Secrets and amending the Health and Social Care Bill to strengthen protection of the Elderly in Care Homes through the Human Rights Act.

The consultation will run from 19 June to 11 September 2008.

Notes to Editors

1. In August 2007 Ivan Lewis announced the development of a National Dementia Implementation Plan, which will transform the lives of dementia sufferers and their families.

2. Direct costs of dementia to the NHS are currently estimated to be in the region of £3.3 billion per year. The NHS in England spent some £60.9 million on dementia drugs during 2005.

3. Dementia costs the UK economy £17 billion a year

4. It is estimated that there are currently 700,000 people in the UK with dementia, with approximately 570,000 in England

5. In the next 30 years the number of people with dementia in the UK will double to 1.4 million in and the costs will treble to over £50 billion a year

6. The final National Dementia Strategy is expected in October 2008.

7. Dementia is one of the main causes of disability in later life, ahead of some cancers, cardiovascular disease and stroke

8. Regional consultation events are as follows.
LEEDS 23rd JUNE
STOCKTON-on-TEES 24th JUNE
BIRMINGHAM 24th JUNE
DONCASTER 30th JUNE
YEOVIL 1st JULY
NEWCASTLE 9th JULY
LONDON 11th JULY
NORWICH 14th JULY
PRESTON 17th JULY
PLYMOUTH 17th JULY
FARNHAM 17th JULY
BRISTOL 23rd JULY
EASTWELL MANOR, KENT 23rd JULY
WARRINGTON 24th JULY
HERTFORDSHIRE 22nd JULY
STANSTED 25th JULY
LEICESTER 20th AUGUST