The number of people with dementia will double over the next thirty years, and the cost of care and treatment is likely to triple. Currently the direct costs of dementia to the NHS are approximately £3.3 billion per year.
The first National Dementia Strategy, aims to increase awareness of dementia, help ensure early diagnosis and intervention, and radically improve the quality of care that people with the condition receive.
A key priority will be to make sure that GPs have the skills to spot the first signs of dementia and are able to refer patients on to specialists, giving people with dementia a better quality of life and stay longer in their own homes.
The Strategy also recommends the creation of a new role of “dementia advisor” in every hospital and care home to act as a guide to help people with dementia, their carers and families navigate the care and support system throughout their illness. The role will be piloted in the first year of the strategy.
A network of specialist services, such as memory clinics, will be established across the country. Their focus will be on early diagnosis and intervention for people with dementia. In addition every general hospital and care home will identify a senior member of staff who will be charged with providing leadership to improve the quality of care for people for dementia.
As a former Minister with responsibility for Mental Health Rosie welcomed the announcement adding:
“In an ageing society, caring for people with dementia is one of the most important challenges we face. From my time as Health Minister, I know that for many people diagnosis can be difficult, care can be patchy and without adequate support, families can be under huge stress.
"Today’s announcement sets out an ambitious plan to transform the lives of people living with dementia. This is a momentous opportunity and represents a seachange in the way we view dementia".