02.12.13
Dementia map published to drive up standards
A new interactive online map has been launched to show the quality of dementia care across the country.
There are currently 670,000 people diagnosed with dementia, a number set to double in the next thirty years and described by health secretary Jeremy Hunt as “one of the biggest challenges we face as a nation”.
The map provides a regional and local picture based on data including diagnosis rates, how often anti-psychotic drugs are prescribed to patients, and referral rates for further investigation.
The diagnostic rate currently varies from 39% to 75% across England.
Hunt said: “This report and map will help drive up standards of dementia care across the country by showing what excellent care looks like, and challenging the rest to become like the best. Full transparency is the best way to drive up standards and tackle poor performance.
“We must come together as a society to get better at fighting dementia. We all have a role to play in helping people manage dementia better and supporting them to lead healthier lives.”
Dr Peter Carter, chief executive & general secretary of the RCN said: “Dementia is one of the biggest challenges facing not just the NHS but our entire society. It is good news that the Government is taking this challenge seriously and we are pleased to see efforts to improve the support that people with dementia and their carers receive.
“Rather than focusing on the number of people diagnosed in a given area we believe the quality of diagnosis and the availability of post-diagnostic support and good quality care are far more important indicators of our success in tackling this condition. There is a danger that without the proper level of investment in community services including dementia specialist nurses people will not have the support they need after diagnosis, at what is such a distressing time.
“We would also like to see a greater focus on the important role that carers play. The RCN and Carers Trust recently published ‘Triangle of Care’, which called for much greater involvement of carers when people with dementia use the health service. Carers are too often ignored when people with dementia are admitted to hospital, however they have much to offer health care staff, such as personal knowledge of how dementia affects their loved one.
“The upcoming G8 summit is an important opportunity to work with other countries to share the best practice around the world, and this must be supported with a continued increase in research funding. There is still far too much we don’t know about dementia and there is a long way to go before we are doing enough to support people who are diagnosed with it, however this is a positive step in that direction.”
Tell us what you think – have your say below, or email us directly at [email protected]