More change needed to match growing challenge of dementia

'Improving Services for People with Dementia' found that while dementia is a national priority, it often isn't at a local level, despite the condition costing more than heart disease, stroke and cancer combined. The report looks at progress of the National Dementia Strategy for England 12 months on from its launch and finds that significant steps have been made but more needs to be done to improve care and save millions.

New research in the report finds that over half of GPs surveyed haven't had adequate training and almost a third remain unconfident in diagnosing dementia. Only 21 per cent of consultants said a senior clinician had taken the lead for improving dementia in their hospital and only 15 per cent of psychiatrists reported that their PCT had invested extra funds into their service. The report recognised much groundwork has been done but concludes that the Department of Health must put in place the levers necessary to deliver the strategy.

Andrew Ketteringham, Director of External Affairs of Alzheimer's Society says,

'This influential report shows just how big the dementia crisis is. Change can't come soon enough for the millions of families battling daily with this devastating condition. The Strategy will transform lives but only if local health authorities are compelled to give dementia the priority it deserves. Millions depend on the Strategy succeeding. It's a race against time.'

Dawn Edmonds, 53, of Shropshire who cares for her husband Dave, 62, added,

'I love Dave but caring for a person with dementia is the most difficult job in the world.  Every step has been a struggle, I've had to sell my house and even move to a different postcode to get the care Dave needed. I haven't worked in ten years and like millions of carers I have been pushed into poverty. The strategy is a chance for real change but across the country people have sat in rooms talking for too long. The time for talking is over. We now need action to get us out of this mess.'

Key findings of the report include

• Few frontline staff could identify leaders championing dementia. Nurses surveyed said they had received no information on the Strategy.
• Joined up working between health and social care is patchy and people are still being admitted to hospital unnecessarily, have longer length of stays and enter residential care prematurely.
• Only two Strategic Health Authorities were actively working with the care homes sector.
• There has been no improvement in GP knowledge and awareness over five years. Dementia is not included in the core requirements for nursing degrees.
• 37 per cent of consultants surveyed said a multi-agency group had been formed in their area to plan implementation of the Strategy (41 per cent were unsure).
• 58 per cent of consultants have an older people's mental health liaison team in their general hospital.
• Only 11 per cent of consultant psychiatrists could point to an agreed joint care pathways in their area (41 per cent were unsure).
• Dementia is not a priority in the 2010 - 2011 NHS Operating Framework, nor is it featured in a set of national priorities against which local organisations performance is monitored
  

Ends

Notes to editors

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia.
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 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.
• Alzheimer's Society champions the rights of people living with dementia and the millions of people who care for them.
  
• Alzheimer's Society works in England, Wales and Northern Ireland
• Alzheimer's Society needs to raise money to help people live well with dementia today and for research 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