NHS to prioritise dementia care

The Framework, which is an annual publication outlining priority areas for action in the NHS states that anyone working with people with dementia must be properly trained and that people with dementia must have one point of contact who can coordinate all their health and social care needs.

Dementia forms part of a wider priority of quality care for older people which calls for better integration of services and promises more help for carers.

Alzheimer's Society comment:

'For too long we have been hearing shocking tales of the devastating impact poor quality care can have on people with dementia and other older people. It is therefore excellent news that the NHS has decided to tackle these issues head on.'

'Key contacts to help people with dementia navigate the complex care system and better trained staff could transform the care people with dementia receive. This must be accompanied by improvements in diagnosis rate. We now need to ensure that these commitments are rolled out fully and that people with dementia are getting the care they need at the time they need it.'

Jeremy Hughes

Chief Executive

Alzheimer's Society

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Notes to editors:

• One in three people over 65 will die with dementia
• Alzheimer's Society research shows that 750,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, more than half have Alzheimer's disease. In just ten years 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 supports people to live well with dementia today and funds research to find a cure for tomorrow. We rely on voluntary donations to continue our vital work. 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
  
• Alzheimer's Society and Tesco have mapped the number of people with dementia in each part of the UK and the percentage who receive a diagnosis. To view the 'Mapping the Dementia Gap' study visit alzheimers-tesco.org.uk