The UK will be the most dementia friendly society on earth due to a new implementation plan for patients with the condition, health secretary Jeremy Hunt has said.
Under the new plan, every person with dementia will receive a personalised care plan, while family members and carers will be able to compare the quality of care in the local area with other regions. Additionally, the CQC will include standards of dementia care in their inspections to make sure services are safer for people with dementia seven days a week.
‘A dementia diagnosis can bring fear and heartache, but I want Britain to be the best place in the world to live well with dementia,’ said Mr Hunt. ‘Last Parliament we made massive strides on diagnosis rates and research – the global race is now on to find a cure for dementia and I want the UK to win it.’
The plan will also aim to improve early diagnosis of the condition. For the first time, NHS Health Checks will include awareness raising, education and discussion of risk reduction for dementia for people aged 40 or older. This is currently only available for over 65s.
‘The UK is leading the way in the fight against dementia, and this blueprint once again shows real leadership from the UK Government in its efforts to tackle the condition,’ said David Mayhew, the prime minister’s dementia envoy and chairman of Alzheimer’s Research UK. ‘This plan lays out a clear direction for driving forward improved care, new treatments and greater awareness, and it will be important to link this strategy to international efforts if we are to have the greatest impact.’