New plans for dementia strategy neglect care at home 

New plans for implementing the National Dementia Strategy call for more local accountability but fail to prioritise care at home.

The report, released by the Department of Health, sets out revised guidelines for putting in place the National Dementia Strategy, launched by the last government in February 2009.

Local health authorities should publish how they are implementing the strategy, so that people can hold their authority to account over their progress. But the new document’s four key priority areas do not include care at home.

Instead, the focus is on early diagnosis, residential and hospital care, and reduced use of anti-psychotic  drugs. Yet the National Dementia Strategy does list improving care at home as an objective.

The Department of Health insists the new document’s priorities are designed to help fulfil the whole strategy and all 17 objectives.

Thelma Harvey, Chair of Hope for Home said:

“While the government recognises the importance of implementing the National Dementia Strategy, it is deeply disappointing that this latest plan fails to prioritise care at home.  That is not good news for the two-thirds of people with dementia who live in their own homes.”

The government plans to launch a National Audit of Dementia Services, to find out more about the gaps in provision.

The government will also launch a National Dementia Declaration in the Autumn. Hope for Home wants this to give more support to people living with dementia at home.

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• To read the short document, go to the Department of Health’s website for The National Dementia Strategy.
• Download the report 'Quality outcomes for people with dementia: Building on the work of the National Dementia Strategy'.
• Go to http://www.dh.gov.uk/en/SocialCare/NationalDementiaStrategy/index.htm