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Care for dementia
28/05/2009
Scotland's first dementia strategy is on the way, stepping up the drive towards better care for people living with dementia.
The announcement comes on the day that a Mental Welfare Commission and Care Commission report provides a number of recommendations for improvement of care in care homes for people with dementia.
The Scottish Government will accept all of the recommendations which have been made in the report and will work to implement them speedily.
Public Health Minister Shona Robison said:
"This is a deeply shocking report. That's why we will accept all the recommendations and I will meet Scottish Care, The Mental Welfare Commission and the Care Commission to discuss the all issues raised as a matter of urgency.
"Scotland's older people deserve the best possible care. Both they and their families must have faith in the quality of care provided in care homes. This report highlights serious shortcomings which must - and will - be addressed quickly.
"We have already put in place a range of measures to improve care, including staff training, post-diagnosis support and help to allow people to spot and respond quickly to the early signs of dementia.
"Our dementia strategy will build on this, recognising that there is much more that can be done. The strategy will ensure we deliver the dementia care that people need and deserve.
Henry Simmons, Chief Executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said:
"We welcome the government's announcement of a forthcoming dementia strategy for Scotland.
"Alzheimer Scotland is currently undertaking a large-scale consultation of people with dementia and their carers.
"We will ensure that the results of this inform the development of what we hope will be a comprehensive strategy, with the necessary investment to make it truly successful in meeting the needs of the many people affected by dementia across Scotland."
Dr Donald Lyons of the Mental Welfare Commission said:
"We welcome the government's commitment to a dementia strategy. It would be important that the strategy addresses the concerns that we and the Care Commission are continuing to raise about the care of people with dementia in hospitals and care homes."
Over the summer a wide-ranging consultation will gather the views of people with dementia and all those involved in their care about what should be included in the strategy.
Recommendations from a specialist Dementia Forum - including the Mental Welfare Commission, Alzheimer Scotland, the Care Commission and Age Concern & Help the Aged - will also help shape the strategy, which will be published before the end of the year.