Care concerns

LEAVING aside the politics of the National Health Service’s funding, the challenge is still the same – the delivery of healthcare has to become more efficient to take account of an ageing society. As people live longer, their care needs will, inevitably, become greater – and this is particularly relevant to the 11,500 people who are living with the consequences of dementia in North Yorkshire alone.

Yet, despite the work of The Alzheimer’s Society, and a host of other charities, there is still no cure for dementia. However, as a new study shows, prompt diagnosis can make a significant difference.

This can be difficult if an individual is too proud to seek counsel from their GP when ‘senior moments’ become more frequent. It is also challenging if a patient sees a different GP whenever they visit their local health centre – continuity of care is important in monitoring an individual’s decline.

Yet this issue extends far beyond the quality of an patient’s existence during the sunset of their life. There is also the small matter of their care needs, and whether it is affordable or not.

And, given there is an increasing presumption that people should remain in their own home as town hall care budgets come under even greater pressure because of the Government’s cuts, it is even more paramount that the treatment of dementia is given priority status.

Care Services Minister Paul Burstow makes an important point today. He says families should seek support at the outset rather than waiting for “a crisis”. His challenge is making sure that the support survives the overhaul of the NHS.