Supporting people with long term conditions

Published 20 January 2009

New guidance to help NHS and local authority commissioners ensure that people with long term conditions are more involved in decisions about their illness and treatment, has been issued.

The document Supporting People With Long Term Conditions: Commissioning Personalised Care Planning, will help the government achieve its goal that by 2010 every one of the 15 million people with a long term condition will be offered a personalised care plan.

'A good care plan drawn up with the involvement of the person with dementia and their carer is the basis of good person-centred care. This guidance is a positive step towards putting people in control of their lives and supporting them to choose care that suits their skills, abilities and needs.

It is vital that the implementation of the Darzi review and the forthcoming National Dementia Strategy for England continues to put people in control of their care and ensures staff have the skills to support them.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Reference:

Department of Health

Notes to editors

1 in 3 people over 65 will die with dementia.
700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In less than 20 years nearly a million people will be living with dementia. This will soar to 1.7 million people by 2051. 1 in 6 people over 80 have dementia.
Alzheimer's Society campaigns for and champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions who care for them. Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland.
As a charity, Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to care for people today and to find a cure for tomorrow. You can donate now by calling 0845 306 0898 or visiting alzheimers.org.uk.
Alzheimer's Society provides a National Dementia Helpline, the number is 0845 300 0336 or visit alzheimers.org.uk

For further information please call 0207 423 3595 or 07802688774 or email press@alzheimers.org.uk