Alzheimer's Society welcomes Ombudsman report but asks what difference does it make?

The Ombudsman decision published in February 2003 concerning NHS funding for long term care prompted many other complainants to contact the Ombudsman. The Alzheimer's Society helpline service has fielded hundreds of calls concerned with funding of long term care for people with dementia.

'Mr Z', cited in the first Ombudsman ruling in February 2003, is still waiting for financial restitution after winning his original case in Berkshire eight months ago.

Clive Evers, director of information and education at the Alzheimer's Society said:

'This report provides damning evidence of a total lack of government will and intent to meet the mental and physical health needs of highly dependent people including people with dementia and their carers.

Health authorities continue to shirk their responsibility for old and vulnerable people. They have essentially washed their hands of this group. We now have a bureaucratic policy nightmare on NHS continuing care which even lawyers can barely understand let alone patients and carers.

What is worse is that the Ombudsman report is the tip of the iceberg - only 30% of the total number of complaints received were considered for investigation.

This situation is the result of years of 'ducking and diving' by successive governments to avoid facing the future care needs of our older population.

We are still not confident that someone with severe dementia assessed today would qualify for NHS continuing care.

Over three quarters of people in long term care have dementia, and the Society believes it is vital to fund their health care properly and stop discriminating against them.'

Notes for editors

• The Alzheimer's Society is the UK's leading care and research charity for people with dementia and their carers.
• Over 700,000 people in the UK have dementia. More than half have Alzheimer's disease.
• Dementia affects one in 20 people over the age of 65 and one in five over the age of 80.
• There are 18,500 people in the UK under the age of 65 with dementia.
• For information and advice on Alzheimer's disease or other forms of dementia call the Alzheimer's Society national helpline on 0845 300 0336.
• Our website address is: http://www.alzheimers.org.uk/.