NICE end of life guidelines will not benefit people with dementia
Published 5 January 2009
Our comment on new guidelines issued by NICE on life-extending treatments for people who are terminally ill and not expected to live more than two years
'End of life treatment is extremely important for all people with a terminal disease. 1 in 3 people over 65 will die with dementia; it is unreasonable that these people will not benefit from NICE's flexibility.
Whilst it is good that NICE is adopting some flexibility, NICE's entire remit needs to be reviewed. Everyone with a terminal condition deserves the best treatment and care available to them. It needs to be about quality care, not just extending life. People in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease are still being denied access to the only drug treatments available to them.'
Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society
