Alzheimer's Society Comment On King's Fund Call For Major Overhaul Of Key Government Health Reform, UK

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 24 Nov 2008 - 4:00 PST

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The King's Fund has published the findings from a two-year audit of one of the government's central health policy reforms - practice based commissioning.

The report concludes that the policy has so far proved to be expensive and delivered little in terms of better services for patients or financial savings for the NHS. Progress has been slow and appears to be stalling completely in some areas - very few GPs are using it to commission new services despite family doctors having been paid almost £100 million in incentives payments alone.

It is deeply troubling that despite its enormous potential practiced based commissioning is still being under used by GPs. Care for people with dementia needs to be practiced based to allow people to maintain their independence and have care that is responsive to their needs.

The NHS must wake up to its responsibility to care for this incredibly vulnerable group of people and urgently implement recommendations outlined by the Kings Fund and in Lord Darzi's Next Stage Review.

100, 000 people develop dementia each year yet there are nowhere near enough services to meet their needs. Without reform, thousands of vulnerable people with dementia are missing out on care that gives them a better quality of life.

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society

Information about practice based commissioning

Practice Based Commissioning is a government policy which devolves responsibility for commissioning services from PCTs to local GP practices. Practices are given a commissioning budget which they have the responsibility for using in order to provide services.

Information about Alzheimer's Society

Alzheimer's Society is the leading care and research charity for people with all forms of dementia and their carers. It provides information and education, support for carers, and quality day and home care. It funds medical and scientific research and campaigns for improved health and social services and greater public understanding of dementia.

Alzheimer's Society provides a national help line on 0845 3000 336 and website http://www.alzheimers.org.uk. Please include this information in any publication that uses these comments.

Alzheimer's Society