Government's dementia plan needs embellishment, says RCN

The RCN has called for adequate funding and better social care provision if the government is to fulfil its plan to improve dementia services in England.

The Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2020: Implementation Plan aims to empower people with dementia, and their families, through improved care and access to dementia services seven days a week. 

The strategy includes better staff training so that healthcare professionals can develop their understanding of the disease.

Every person with dementia in England will receive a personalised care plan, and Care Quality Commission inspections will include standards of dementia care. 

NHS health checks will be expanded to promote awareness and risk reduction of dementia for people aged 40 or older. Previously, this was only provided for people aged 65 and older. 

The Department of Health (DH) is updating its nursing vision and strategy for dementia. Last year the government funded development of the dementia core skills education and training framework to educate staff and help organisations to standardise training.

RCN professional lead for older people and dementia care Dawne Garrett said: ‘We are supportive of positive changes to services, but we know that in many areas access to social care assessment and packages of care is difficult at weekends and out of hours. There is also a national shortage of nurses.

‘Funding is crucial to improve care for people with dementia.’

Dementia UK director of Admiral Nursing Karen Harrison Dening said: ‘We are nowhere near even providing a five day a week service in respect of social and health care for people affected by dementia. 

‘It would also be difficult to diagnose dementia in people as young as 40 and we must be wary of over-diagnosis.

‘This document has been set as the gold standard but we are a long way off.’ 

Read the government's plan here.