06.07.15
GPs say patchy services failing dementia patients
Nearly two-thirds of doctors say that a lack of cooperation between the NHS and social care is acting as a barrier for dementia patients to receive the support they need, new research has revealed.
The survey of more than 1,000 family doctors, conducted by the Alzheimer’s Society, highlighted that 77% of GPs think their patients with dementia rely on family as they don't get enough help from health and social care services.
The poll also found that half of GPs think the NHS is doing too little to care for people with the condition. More than two-thirds believe patients don’t get enough provision from adult social services after a diagnosis
It was also revealed that 27% of GPs admitted they would be less likely to refer people with suspected dementia for diagnosis if support services are not in place.
Professor Nigel Mathers, honorary secretary of the Royal College of GPs, said: “We need better co-ordination of approaches for referral, assessment, and treatment across the boundaries of primary, secondary and social care so that we can improve the services - and access to services - that will really make a difference to people with dementia and help them live healthy, independent and productive lives for as long as possible.
“Until this can be delivered to all patients, regardless of where they live in the country, GPs will have to continue weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of early diagnosis. Evidence shows that if a person’s wellbeing is not enhanced by receiving a diagnosis, it should not be forced on them.”
Another worrying finding of the report was that nearly a quarter of family doctors said they haven't had sufficient training in dementia to give them a good understanding of how to manage a person with the condition.
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: “Our survey gives a stark view from the doctor's surgery of people with dementia left struggling in the aftermath of a diagnosis. GPs report an endemic and deeply worrying lack of support available from health and social services, with relatives left to pick up the pieces alone.
In its latest annual dementia report released today, Dementia 2015: Aiming higher to transform lives, Alzheimer's Society is pressing for a national action plan to combat dementia over the next five years.
Recommendations include the NHS England and local authorities ensuring that everyone diagnosed with dementia is entitled to a full package of support including a Dementia Adviser, and that there is a single point of contact to help carers navigate the health and social care system.
A spokesman from the Department of Health said: “We are already expanding access to named clinicians and dementia advisers to help patients and their families, and giving the option of personal budgets - and we want to see these things being offered across the NHS.”
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