MPs launch inquiry into dementia workforce

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia (APPG) will investigate whether social care staff caring for people with dementia at home or in care homes are being equipped with the right skills to deliver quality dementia care. The APPG on Dementia is calling for evidence from care home organisations, care staff, regulators, people with dementia and carers.[1]

 Jeremy Wright MP, Chairman of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, says,

Dementia care in Britain is lagging seriously behind most countries in Europe. In 2008 the first inquiry undertaken by the APPG on Dementia revealed that over 100,000 people with dementia are currently being unnecessarily prescribed dangerous antipsychotic drugs, often as a substitute for poor care.[2]

Today's inquiry will investigate the current state of dementia care training and skills amongst social care staff. Our work so far has made clear the importance of effective training in dementia and how little of it is currently undertaken. We look forward to sharing our findings and recommendations with the government.

Neil Hunt, Chief Executive, Alzheimer's Society says,

'Alzheimer's Society welcomes this inquiry. Wherever they live, people with dementia deserve good quality care. Our research shows that equipping staff with the right skills can make an enormous difference to the health and well being of people with dementia.[2]

'Over a quarter of a million people with dementia live in care homes and over four hundred thousand people with dementia continue to live in the community.[3] We need to make sure they are getting the care they deserve. We are encouraging people with dementia and carers to contact the APPG on Dementia and share their experiences.'

The deadline for written evidence is 6 March 2009. The APPG on Dementia will begin hearing oral evidence in March 2009.

[1] Read the terms of reference of the inquiry

[2] Home from Home: A report highlighting opportunities for improving standards of dementia care in care homes (2007), Alzheimer's Society

[3] Dementia UK (2007), Alzheimer's Society