Dr Dave Anderson, chair of the Royal College
of Psychiatrists’ Faculty of Old Age Psychiatry, said: “We share
these concerns about the unnecessary prescribing of antipsychotic
drugs to people with dementia and welcome the recommendations in
this report. It is a scandal that the care of people with one
of the most complex and disabling medical conditions is so often in
the hands of health & social care staff who have no appropriate
training. That has to be addressed quickly.
“Furthermore, any person whose condition is
causing sufficient concern to even consider prescribing these drugs
should be seen by a specialist older people’s mental health
service. We hope this report will be the catalyst for real change
in the provision of dementia care.”
For further information, please contact Liz Fox or Deborah
Hart in the Communications Department.
Telephone: 020 7235 2351 Extensions. 6298 or 6127
References:
The use of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia: Time for action. A report for the Minister of State for Care Services by Professor Sube Banerjee