15.05.13
Challenge to diagnose two-thirds of people living with dementia
160,000 more people living with dementia will be diagnosed and offered treatment by 2015, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has announced.
The number of people with dementia is set to double in the next 30 years and costs are set to rise to £19bn. Diagnosis rates also vary across the country, with some areas’ rates as low as 32% and others as high as 67%.
The pledge comes as the Challenge on Dementia reports on its first year. Since 2012, 140 trusts have signed up to and committed to taking action to support patients, a new Enhanced Service was developed as part of the GP contract for 2013/14, and the DH is to announce successful bidders for the £50m fund to create specially adapted wards and care home spaces for patients with dementia.
The Dementia Friends programme was launched, a full national recognition system is being developed and businesses and cities are becoming more aware of patients’ needs.
£22m additional funding has been provided to 21 research projects through NIHR, with £4.5m from the Medical Research Council to evaluate the use of existing drugs to treat dementia.
Hunt said: “For too long diagnosis rates have been shockingly low, leaving too many people living in the dark trying to cope with this terrible condition undiagnosed, unable to get the help they need and deserve.
“Dementia is a serious and growing problem so this ambitious drive to see a clear majority of people identified and supported is a major step forward.”
Dr Martin McShane, director of NHS England added: “A diagnosis is the first step to accessing the right care and support for each individual. The Clinical Commissioning Groups have already taken the first steps in addressing this national ambition, with new information, provided by NHS England, to help them understand the scale of challenge at a local level. We will also be sharing best practice and effective ways of meeting the needs of people, once diagnosed.”
Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of the Alzheimer’s Society said: “The past year has seen huge progress in the fight against dementia. But the fight is not nearly over. Less than half of people with dementia have a diagnosis, denying them the support they need to live well.”
Chief Medical Officer, Professor Dame Sally Davies said: “Developing drugs presents real challenges for industry, not only around the basic science but also in the design of clinical research. That’s why we are also pioneering a more co-ordinated approach.
“The Care Bill introduces a comprehensive overhaul for social care with new rights for carers, alongside the introduction in 2016 of a cap on individuals’ long-term care costs to make sure that people are protected against catastrophic financial costs, reducing worry for carers or for people with dementia and other conditions.”
The UK will use its presidency of the G8 to identify and agree a new international approach on dementia research.
Prime Minister David Cameron said: “Dementia is a devastating disease – not just for sufferers but for their families and friends too. And as more people live longer, it is fast becoming one of the biggest social and healthcare challenges we face.
“Families, communities, health systems and their budgets will increasingly be strained as the number affected increases and so we need to do all we can to improve how we research, diagnose and treat the disease.
“If the brightest minds are working together on this then we’ve got a greater chance of improving treatments and finding scientific breakthroughs.”
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