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All GPs to get dementia training All NHS GPs in England are to be trained to spot the early symptoms of dementia, under government plans.
Government ministers also want to set up "memory clinics" to help the growing number of patients live as normally as possible.
The Department of Health says it will ensure appropriate training is provided to health professionals and create more chances for them to specialise. A spokeswoman said: "We want to make sure that every GP is trained to spot the first signs of dementia, and refer patients on to specialists. The Department of Health will work with all relevant medical and nursing organaisations - including the Royal College of GPs, Skills for Care and the NHS - to make sure that appropriate training is provided for medical students".
Care Services Minister Phil Hope told the Daily Mail a national dementia strategy, to be launched today, could save nearly £1bn, while providing better care. Memory Clinics offer expert assessment, support, information and advice to those with memory problems and their carers.
These services could be provided by a range of professionals, from geriatricians and psychiatrists to local GPs with a specialist interest, and could involve the voluntary sector, he added.
A 2007 report from the National Audit Office said 69% of GPs in England had access to a local memory service to which they could refer patients.
Only 31% of GPs felt they had enough training to diagnose and manage the disease themselves.
According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust 163,000 new cases of dementia occur in England and Wales each year - amounting to one very 3.2 minutes. It says that unless treatments are found the number of people with cognitive impairment who will be placed in institutions will rise by more than 63% from 224,000 in 1998 to 365,000 in 2031.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said, "This is a much-needed move, as most dementia cases still go undiagnosed. Unfortunately dementia research is still severely underfunded, receiving eight times less government research funding than cancer. If we don't act now on research, dementia will cost the UK economy £50 billion annually within 30 years".
Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "Whilst today's announcement contains good news, actions speak louder than words and there is an urgent need for investment in dementia to make these plans a reality".
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Posted on: 03/02/2009 at 13:38 in the category: Latest News
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