Dementia patients will only be given a so-called ‘chemical cosh’ as a last resort under a new strategy designed to tackle soaring numbers of Scots developing the syndrome.
By Simon Johnson, Scottish Political Editor
02 Jun 2010
The eight-point blueprint, published by Scottish ministers, states there is too much reliance by hospitals and nursing homes on using powerful antipsychotic medication to control sufferers.
It also argues that more should be allowed to remain at home instead of instead of being forced into care homes, and extra support must be provided for their carers.
Around 71,000 people in Scotland suffer from dementia, including 2,300 under the age of 65, and the problem is expected to get worse thanks to the country’s ageing population.
Charity Alzheimer Scotland estimates that the condition costs around £1.7 billion per year, including between £600 million and £700 million for the health service and councils.
But the strategy states that looming deep public spending cuts means changes are required to get better value for money, especially as the number of sufferers is expected to double over the next 25 years.
Shona Robison, Scottish public health minister, said: “The dementia strategy sets out plans to develop our first-ever national standards of care for people with dementia, ensuring they not only receive the best clinical care but are treated with respect and dignity.
“We have to do things differently, and this strategy is an important step on a very long road. We want a new era of respect, dignity and self-determination for people with dementia.”
The strategy aims to eradicate the postcode lottery of dementia care around Scotland by setting strict national guidelines for all hospitals, social workers and care homes to follow.
But Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “It is unfortunate that it is only now, in such an uncertain economic climate, that dementia is receiving the necessary level of government priority.”
A Government review published last year found 145,000 Britons with dementia are wrongly being prescribed antipsychotic medication that causes around 1,800 deaths per year.
Only around 36,000 of the 180,000 people given the drugs derive any benefit from them. The medication is thought to be linked to deaths in one per cent of patients taking it.
Research produced for the new Scottish strategy recommends reducing the use of antipsychotic medication by two-thirds within three years.
The blueprint states hospitals and care homes should only use the drugs as a “last resort after a comprehensive assessment” and other approaches have been considered.
National standards must be drawn up for prescribing and monitoring the medications, it adds, and their use must be reviewed frequently.
Instead, the strategy states behavioural problems should be tackled before they reach “crisis point”, including training staff and carers with good communication skills and providing sufferers with “purposeful and rewarding activities”.
Where it is not possible to prevent such problems arising, therapeutic methods should be used before drug treatment is considered.
Dementia sufferers should only be admitted to hospital where treatment cannot be provided in their homes, the strategy states, to reduce stress and anxiety.
It is common for sufferers to be discharged from hospital to a care home, but the blueprint states “a return home should be the starting point”.
Jackie Baillie, Scottish Labour health spokesman, welcomed the blueprint but added: “We need to see real resources and an end to the SNP's cuts or the good intentions in this strategy will simply never be delivered.”
SOURCE: Telegraph.co.uk
_______________________________________
Click for Updates, More Cases and Resources
Search Right Col/Labels for More Posts/Resources
No comments:
Post a Comment