The NHS funding challenge is more important than management change, according to report

Its chair, Rt Hon Stephen Dorrell MP, has said that the NHS funding challenge can only be met by rethinking and redesigning the way health services are delivered now. He said that this should receive more attention than the proposed restructure of the NHS, which has instead dominated the headlines.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'We undoubtedly need a radical shake up of how we fund health and social care. Dementia costs the UK £20 billion a year and this is set to rise to £27 billion by 2018. Improving dementia services, for example by providing support in the community, can save money and deliver better care for people with the condition. This can only happen if we sort out the woeful communication between the services and end the chronic under-investment in social care. Now is a golden opportunity to develop a system that is sustainable and fit for purpose.

'Local decision making has the ability to transform dementia care but only if the government ensures that commissioners are held to account. A million people will develop dementia in the next ten years. We must act now.'

Louise Lakey
Policy Manager
Alzheimer's Society