National dementia care strategy
Monday, 06 Aug 2007 11:33
The government says dementia care is lacking at present
Dementia care is currently failing people with the disease and their carers, health minister Ivan Lewis has said.
To improve the situation the government has launched the first national dementia care strategy which will focus on reducing the stigma of the disease and improving early diagnosis and treatment.
About 600,000 people in England have dementia and it is estimated this figure will double in the next 30 years.
Professor Sube Banjeree, professor of mental health and ageing at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, and Jenny Owen, executive director of adults, health and community well-being in Essex, will be working with key charities and health organisations to develop the strategy.
These include Help The Aged, Age Concern, the Alzheimer's Society, the Royal College of Nursing and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.
Ideas being considered include an information campaign with tips for detecting the first signs of dementia; specific staff training to improve diagnosis; and guidance for the NHS and social care to manage the care of people with dementia.
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