DoH: Determined to address dementia

The government is determined to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families, the Department of Health (DoH) has said.

Its comments follow a study from the King's Fund that warned cases of dementia are set to increase sharply in the next two decades.

The report also said strategies are needed to reduce the prevalence of mental health problems and to help thousands of people back to productive work.

A DoH spokesperson said it "recognises the importance of effective and early intervention in providing support for people with mental health problems".

They highlighted a programme launched earlier this year that was designed to help people with depression and anxiety disorders by increasing access to psychological therapists.

"The Improving Access to Psychological Therapies programme has already captured the imagination of primary care trusts up and down the country and is transforming the lives of thousands of people with depression and anxiety disorders in the areas that have been involved so far," the spokesperson said.

"In addition, we recognise that dementia is now one of the most significant health challenges facing our society. That is why we are determined to bring dementia out of the shadows and later this year we'll launch the first ever national strategy to improve the quality of life for people with dementia and their families."