Health and social services are failing dementia patients, GPs warn

A survey of 1000 GPs by the Alzheimer’s Society found that 77 per cent of doctors think dementia patients are forced to rely on family, as they do not receive enough support from health and social care services.

70 per cent believed this lack of support is due to a shortfall in accessible local services, with a further 61 per cent claiming that a lack of cooperation between NHS and social care acts as a barrier to patients getting support.

27 per cent admitted they would be less likely to refer people with suspected dementia if support services were not in place.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: "Our survey gives a stark view from the doctor's surgery of people with dementia left struggling in the aftermath of a diagnosis.

"GPs report an endemic and deeply worrying lack of support available from health and social services, with relatives left to pick up the pieces alone.

"People can need a lot of help to live well with dementia. Families and friends are a vital source of support but they mustn't be relied on to do everything. As dementia takes hold, people with dementia and their carers look to statutory services to give them the back-up they desperately need to cope.”

Professor Nigel Mathers, Honorary Secretary of the Royal College of GPs, responded by questioning the usefulness of early diagnosis if a patient’s wellbeing is not improved after the diagnosis is given.

He said: “We need better co-ordination of approaches for referral, assessment, and treatment across the boundaries of primary, secondary and social care so that we can improve the services - and access to services -  that will really make a difference to people with dementia and help them live healthy, independent and productive lives for as long as possible.
 
“Until this can be delivered to all patients, regardless of where they live in the country, GPs will have to continue weighing up the advantages and disadvantages of early diagnosis. Evidence shows that if a person’s wellbeing is not enhanced by receiving a diagnosis, it should not be forced on them.”

Read more