National UK strategy for dementia under review

UK nurses and doctors could in future receive more support to deal with dementia patients, after the government admitted its current approach needed reviewing.

The Department of Health is to develop a national dementia strategy to improve the way it deals with the problem that affects almost 600,000 people in England.

The strategy will attempt to address the stigma attached to dementia and focus on improving awareness of Alzheimer's disease, so symptoms are not dismissed as old age. It will look at ways to improve early diagnosis and how to provide treatments which can enhance a patient's quality of life.

Health minister Ivan Lewis said: "The current system is failing too many dementia sufferers and their carers."

Sube Banjeree, professor of mental health and ageing at the Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, will work on the strategy over the next 12 months with stakeholders, including the RCN.