Dementia care in the UK deemed ineffective
A report suggests ineffective care is being provided for those suffering from dementia
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Around £8 billion is being spent on ineffective dementia care every year, new research published today has claimed.
The report by the National Audit Office (NAO) analyses the progress made by the government's National Dementia Strategy 12 months after its launch.
Whilst research suggests that there have been some improvements, it also shows that over half of GPs have not received enough training to implement the strategy.
Only 21 per cent of consultants said a senior health professional had taken the initiative to improve how dementia is treated in the hospital they work in.
The report suggests that more needs to be done on a local level. Indeed, only two Strategic Health Authorities were discovered to be working alongside the care homes sector. Meanwhile, 11 per cent of consultant psychiatrists could indicate an agreed joint care pathways within their area.
Andrew Ketteringham, director of external affairs of Alzheimer's Society said: "The strategy will transform lives but only if local health authorities are compelled to give dementia the priority it deserves."
Dementia is believed to cost medical services more than heart disease, stroke and cancer combined.
Alzheimer's Society claims around 700,000 people in the UK are suffering from the disease. The figure is predicted to increase to 1.7 million sufferers by 2051.