Robert Brown welcomes national dementia strategy

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Mon 27th Jul 2009

Glasgow Liberal Democrat MSP Robert Brown has welcomed a statement from the Scottish Government announcing that a National Dementia Strategy will be developed over the coming months which will take on board lessons from the recent report Remember, I'm still me, produced jointly between the Care Commission and the Mental Welfare Commission.

The report highlighted widespread inconsistencies in the quality of care provided around the country.

The announcement came in an answer to Parliamentary questions tabled by Mr. Brown on the quality of care which people with dementia received from their residential care homes in Scotland.

Mr. Brown had asked the Scottish Government about the creation of a National Dementia Strategy and what action, if any, it was taking in response to Remember, I'm still me.

Worryingly, the report found that some care homes fell seriously short of best practice and that people with dementia were not always getting the best possible care to meet their needs.

The report also found that even although 75% of people with dementia in the homes were taking one or more psychoactive medicines, there was often no regular review of medication.

Last month, Mr. Brown lodged a parliamentary motion calling for the Scottish Government to develop a National Dementia Strategy and work with NHS boards, local authorities and others to address urgently the shortcomings detailed in the joint report.

Robert Brown said:

"I'm very pleased that the Scottish Government has committed to tackle the serious shortcomings identified in the care received by older people with dementia.

"With over 70% of people living in care homes suffering from dementia, it's high time we had a system which was effective in providing care for people suitably, compassionately and with dignity.

"Although this can often be a question of resources, particularly money and staff time, it is clear that a lot can be done to improve standards by better training and management in care homes, and by more rigorous standards.

"It's especially concerning that some people with dementia weren't getting more frequent attention to their medications.

"The Minister for Public Health has advised me that the strategy will look into the arrangements and resources needed to care for those with dementia more effectively, as well as the quality of the care received by those in care homes, so I am hopeful that change is on the way."

Ends

Notes to editors:

Parliamentary Questions and Answers

Robert Brown (Glasgow) (LD): To ask the Scottish Executive whether it will develop a national dementia strategy.

The Dementia Strategy will be developed by Scottish Government officials working in consultation with the Scottish Dementia Forum set up to offer multi-representative expert advice on driving the priority agenda forward. These experts include people with dementia.

It will build on the work already underway and planned on this important agenda and identify further opportunities for change and improvement.

The Terms of Reference for development of the Strategy are:

To develop actions and policies that respect and promote the rights and dignity of people with dementia, in accordance with the principles of the Mental Health (Care and Treatment) (Scotland) Act 2003 by improving -

the early diagnosis and response to dementia, including post-diagnostic support and information for carers;

the quality of care, treatment and support, wherever this provided;

the training and knowledge of the workforce, including those in general health and social care settings such as accident and emergency and GP surgeries, and

the arrangements and resources which need to be in place to ensure effective delivery of the changes that are proposed.

The strategy will also focus on issues identified in the recent report by the Mental Welfare Commission and Care Commission Remember I'm Still Me which are not particular to dementia but give a significant benefit to those suffering from dementia.

A paper on the strategy will be available in September 2009. This will be issued to all interested stakeholders for their comments. The members of the Dementia Forum will also be involved in disseminating the paper and its messages widely to their networks and interests. The strategy will be prepared by Easter 2010.

Text of Parliamentary motion:

S3M-04533 Robert Brown (Glasgow) (Scottish Liberal Democrats): Dementia in Care Homes- That the Parliament notes Remember, I'm still me, a joint report by the Care Commission and the Mental Welfare Commission for Scotland on the provision of care in residential homes for people with dementia; notes that the report found that 70% of people living in the care homes visited had dementia; is concerned that the report found that some care homes fell seriously short of best practice and that people with dementia were not always getting the best possible care to meet their needs; is appalled that the report found that there was often no regular review of medication, even though 75% of people in homes were taking one or more psychoactive medicines, that the majority of care staff were generally unaware of best-practice guidance and that some felt that they did not have enough time to give the care that they wanted and that there was sometimes little activity, with activity coordinators not always trained or supervised, and calls on the Scottish Government to develop a National Dementia Strategy and work with NHS boards, local authorities and others to address urgently the shortcomings detailed in the report.