Dementia Care

 

Thank you for contacting me about dementia care.
 
Improving treatment and care for people with dementia is a key priority for the Government. I agree that people with dementia have the right to feel safe and supported when they are in hospital.
 
In  2015, the Prime Minister launched his Challenge on Dementia 2020, which sets out the vision for dementia care, support, awareness and research to be transformed by 2020. The Government is committed to delivering this. It has already invested £50 million in creating dementia friendly environments in hospitals and care homes. More than 500,000 NHS staff have received training on dementia, with further training opportunities rolled out to all NHS staff by the end of 2018.
 
The Government's NHS mandate for 2016/17 provides that the NHS must take a lead in improving the quality of care and support for people with dementia. Increasing public awareness is important, and over 1.3 million people have received training to become dementia friends.
 
Research is crucial and I am delighted that dementia research funding doubled under the last Government. This will be maintained to total over £300 million by 2020, with the UK's first ever Dementia Research Institute receiving £150 million.
 
I am pleased that the Government is integrating and improving health and social care to protect people at every stage of their lives. Local authorities will be given greater powers so they can raise up to £2 billion revenue for adult social care, supported by an extra £1.5 billion investment and an improved Better Care Fund.
 
I also support the Government's commitment to increase NHS spending in England by £10 billion in real terms by 2020/21 which will fund the NHS's own plan for its future, the Five Year Forward View.
 
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.