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As reported by the BBC on 3 July , the National Audit Office has criticised the NHS for not making dementia enough of a priority. The report said that England lagged behind other European countries over early diagnosis and access to drugs, likening the situation to cancer in the 1950’s when patients were not told about it due to lack of treatment.

Responding to the National Office Report, The BGS has said: “We are delighted that the importance of improving the care of this vulnerable section of the community has been highlighted and the important role of geriatricians has been recognised. We look forward to working with the Royal College of Psychiatrists and the Royal College of General Practitioners in developing multi-professional protocols for early intervention. This would enable a formal system of holistic case management of people with dementia and better co-ordination of care.

Geriatricians and Old Age Psychiatrists are united in their desire to improve the recognition and management of dementai in both primary and secondary care settings. Dementia is core to the work of geriatricians - being a key factor in falls and occurring in patients with Parkinson’s disease or after stroke. The increasing numbers of people with dementia attending acute hsoptial outpatient clinics, or bieng admitted to the acute hospital necessitates an increased emphasis on the satisfactory evaluation, appropriate referral and effective treatment of cognitive impairment in the acute hospital setting.

We endorse the principle of an integrated care pathway for dementia, which reflects the important links between Geriatric Medicine and Old Age Psychiatry. This should ensure effective and efficient lines of communication so that the person with dementia does not fall between the services.

We hope that Commissioners and providers respond to the challenge of treating Dementia as a national priority and that universities acknowledge the importance of including dementia in their undergraduate and postgraduate courses.