CQC to Include Dementia Care Ratings in Their Inspections

Reproduced under license: Flickr, Dandare06

The government has announced plans to improve dementia services in the UK, with the aim of making the UK the most dementia-friendly society in the world by 2020. 

Jeremy Hunt’s dementia implementation plan is designed to empower people with dementia and their family through improved care and transparency.  Members of the public will be able to compare the quality of dementia care in their local area with the CQC led, OFSTED style ratings, for dementia care being added to the CQC’s inspection regime.

As part of the plan:

• NHS Health Checks will include awareness raising, education and discussion of risk reduction for dementia for people aged 40 or older (this is currently only available for over 65s).
• Every person with dementia will receive a personalised care plan.
• All patients in hospital high dependency care units will be seen and reviewed by a consultant twice a day, every day of the week by 2020.
• If clinically appropriate, all patients, including those with dementia, staying in hospital, will be reviewed by a consultant once a day, every day of the week by 2020.
• Research funding for dementia will be doubled.  The National Dementia Research Institute will drive forward new treatments and help the government fulfil its goal of finding a cure by 2025.

Secretary of State for Health, Jeremy Hunt, said:

“A dementia diagnosis can bring fear and heartache, but I want Britain to be the best place in the world to live well with dementia. Last Parliament we made massive strides on diagnosis rates and research – the global race is now on to find a cure for dementia and I want the UK to win it.”

“This Parliament I want us to make big progress on the quality of care and treatment. Hospitals can be frightening and confusing places for people with dementia, so our new plan will guarantee them safer 7 day hospital care, as well as tackling unacceptable variations in quality across England through transparent Ofsted style ratings.”

“The dementia implementation plan builds on national success including raising dementia diagnosis rates to their highest levels, doubling dementia research funding and getting over 1 million people to become dementia friends.”

Hilary Evans, Chief Executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, said:

“Since the first Prime Minister’s Dementia Challenge was launched we’ve seen real progress in the fight against this devastating condition, and the beginnings of a social movement to rally people behind that fight. There is still much work to do, and Alzheimer’s Research UK welcomes this plan which signals a strong commitment to build on the achievements of recent years. We look forward to working with the Government to deliver action on research and help accelerate the development of much-needed new treatments, preventions and improvements in diagnosis.”