RCGP response to Public Accounts Committee report
‘Improving Services and Support for People with
Dementia’
The RCGP has long recognised the shortfalls in the treatments and
services available for those suffering from dementia, and we are
currently working with the Royal College of Psychiatrists on issues
relating to mental health services for older people.
Dementia is a ticking time bomb and we welcome
this report as it highlights the need for early diagnosis and a
co-ordinated and structured approach in the treatment and care of
the condition.
We agree that the health and social care
system collectively needs to do much more and that there is
considerable scope for improvement. Health and social care must be
joined up and we also need more community-based social care, for
example keeping people in their own homes, where they are
familiar.
The report rightly emphasises the key role
played by carers. Support for carers is crucial as there will be a
growing mismatch between the number of older people with dementia
and the diminishing bank of informal carers. If we are to deal with
the growing burden of care then we must have a strong strategy in
place for supporting people with caring responsibilities.
However, we have concerns about a ‘dementia
only’ specialist service. We should focus on supplementing what we
already have and avoid creating a silo of specialism that will be
unable to meet the complex and varied needs of people with
dementia.
ends
For more information please contact Lorna Fletcher in the RCGP
press office 020 7344 3136 / press@rcgp.org.uk