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14/01/2010
'No Robust' Approach To Dementia
The Government's "ambitious and comprehensive" strategy for dementia has failed to find a "robust approach to implementation", the National Audit Office has said.
In 2007 the Department of Health highlighted dementia as a national priority.
However, an Audit Office report suggests it has not been given the "levers or urgency" normally expected for such a pledge.
It warned value for money could "remain poor" unless weaknesses are "addressed urgently".
Basic training for healthcare professionals working with people with dementia has yet to be made clear, according to the report.
It said "strong leadership" is also key to improving services.
"This is not yet in place in local NHS and social care delivery organisations. There is not yet enough joined-up working between health and social care services for people with dementia," said the Audit Office.
Today’s report highlighted some examples of "excellent practice" which it says could already make a difference if adopted across the country.
"But it is not clear that services are making best use of money; it will not be clear until a baseline audit is completed, how the first £60m of additional baseline funding for primary care trusts to implement the dementia strategy has been spent, or whether it has actually been spent on dementia," the report added.
(PR/GK)
In 2007 the Department of Health highlighted dementia as a national priority.
However, an Audit Office report suggests it has not been given the "levers or urgency" normally expected for such a pledge.
It warned value for money could "remain poor" unless weaknesses are "addressed urgently".
Basic training for healthcare professionals working with people with dementia has yet to be made clear, according to the report.
It said "strong leadership" is also key to improving services.
"This is not yet in place in local NHS and social care delivery organisations. There is not yet enough joined-up working between health and social care services for people with dementia," said the Audit Office.
Today’s report highlighted some examples of "excellent practice" which it says could already make a difference if adopted across the country.
"But it is not clear that services are making best use of money; it will not be clear until a baseline audit is completed, how the first £60m of additional baseline funding for primary care trusts to implement the dementia strategy has been spent, or whether it has actually been spent on dementia," the report added.
(PR/GK)
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