Commenting on the
Prime Minister's announcement today of a new programme
of work to deliver improvements in dementia care, Dr Peter
Connelly, Chair of the Royal College of Psychiatrists' Faculty of
Old Age Psychiatry, said:
"We welcome the Prime Minister’s recognition of the importance
of the care of people with dementia, and look forward to working
alongside the government and other stakeholders to ensure care
continues to improve.
"Across the UK we can be justifiably proud of
the achievements of the NHS in increasing the length and
quality of life of people with dementia, yet it must be recognised
that this success has been accompanied by a dramatic increase in an
aging population and the number of people with dementia.
"Dementia costs the UK more than cancer, heart
disease and stroke combined, and whilst the management of these
conditions is something that the UK can feel justifiably proud as a
world leader, people with dementia are entitled to services which
match these standards in both the NHS and Local Authorities, but
also those provided by private and third sector organisations.
"Too often care and treatment can fall short
of what is necessary for the early diagnosis, and care of people
with dementia, their families and carers. Those involved in care
need look at new ways to reduce the stigma, stress of carers and to
improve the long term palliative and end of life care for people
affected by dementia.
"This change needs to involve clinicians
across the NHS, providers of social services, managers, the third
sector and politicians alike. It is vital that we all work together
to raise awareness of dementia as well as the number of people
trained to manage the condition. The Royal College of Psychiatrists
is calling for new innovative models of care, and increased
research not only into the prevention of dementia but also into how
people are treated once dementia is diagnosed."
The Prime Minister’s ‘Challenge on
Dementia’ also included an action to ensure memory services are
established in all parts of the country, and to improve the quality
of services by increasing the proportion of memory services that
are accredited through the
Memory Services National Accreditation Programme
(MSNAP).
Prof Martin Orrell, Chair of the programme
said ‘The Memory Services National Accreditation Programme has
become successfully established over the last few years and now has
a membership of 52 services. The endorsement from the Prime
Minister is a great opportunity to improve the quality of memory
services across the country to ensure that people with dementia and
their families have rapid access to high quality care.’
For further information, please
contact:
Liz Leicester
or Deborah Hart in the Communications
Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127