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TIME TO BRING DEMENTIA OUT OF THE DARK AGES
July 16, 2008 12:00 AM
Sutton and Cheam MP, Paul Burstow, won praise for his campaigning on dementia from an unexpected source on Tuesday (15th July) during a Parliamentary debate on dementia care. Health Minister, Ivan Lewis said that the local MP had done much over many years to raise the importance of dementia and credit for getting the Government to acknowledge it as one of the biggest health and social care challenges. The Minister also said that Mr Burstow had done more than any parliamentarian to highlight the issue of inappropriate and abusive prescribing of anti-psychotics drugs.
Mr Burstow called the debate as an opportunity for parliamentarians to input into the government's consultation about its forthcoming national dementia strategy. He highlighted a number of concerns about the deliverability of that strategy, particularly in terms of the workforce demands that will be coming out of it and the fact that we need to significantly invest in research.
Speaking after his Westminster Hall debate on dementia care yesterday Liberal Democrat MP for Sutton and Cheam Paul Burstow said:
"It is good news that the Government is beginning to give dementia the priority it deserves. But the sad fact is that today across to much of the country services are still in the dark ages. Families have to struggle to provide care and support for husbands and wives, mothers and fathers.
"Early diagnosis of dementia can make a huge difference, provided people are properly supported from day one. The government will need to invest in new services and support and they will have to give some clear direction to the NHS and social services to deliver the change that is needed.
"Of the 200,000 people in care homes with dementia, about 100,000 of them are routinely being prescribed anti-psychotic drugs which they do not need. Those drugs cut lives short, increase the risk of stroke and generally reduce quality of life.
ENDS
Notes to editors:
Mr Burstow called for the debate because he had a number of concerns about the implementation of the national dementia strategy.
You can read the debate in full here:
http://pubs1.tso.parliament.uk/pa/cm200708/cmhansrd/cm080715/halltext/80715h0001.htm#08071578000001
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