Alzheimer's Society's Response To The General Medical Council's 'Tomorrow's Doctors' Guidance

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 06 Sep 2009 - 0:00 PDT

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The General Medical Council will this week publish its latest 'Tomorrow's Doctors' guidance calling for a more 'hands on' approach to medical training.

The review says medical students should be able to carry out a range of skills including filling out a prescription form before they leave university.

It follows a survey of 2,400 medical students and junior doctors last year which found that three quarters felt they had put patients at risk because they had not been trained to prescribe drugs properly.

'It is vitally important that hospital staff who prescribe drugs are properly trained and confident to do this. Alzheimer's Society welcomes the news that the General Medical Council is addressing this in its new standards for 'tomorrow's doctors'.

'We estimate around 100,000 people with dementia are inappropriately prescribed antipsychotics at any one time. These drugs have limited benefits for people with dementia, can cause serious side effects and increase the risk of death. Better training is needed to inform staff about these dangers and to equip them to deal with challenging behaviour in other ways.

'The government is also reviewing the use of antipsychotic drugs. This is a crucial opportunity to address this serious issue and must be published as soon as possible.'

Neil Hunt
Chief Executive
Alzheimer's Society