Scottish health boards get dementia experts

Every health board now has a dedicated dementia expert to improve standards of care for people with the illness.

The 14 Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurses will take the lead on raising care standards and improving the quality of life for people with the condition, as well as their carers and families, within hospitals.

They are joined by dementia “champions”, recruited from frontline healthcare staff in hospitals.

In its national dementia strategy, the Scottish Government set out plans to recruit and train 300 such champions by next year, who are tasked with raising awareness of the strategy and encouraging better standards of care.

Health Secretary Alex Neil said: “Having had a personal experience of a family member with dementia, I know how important it is that they get the dignified care they deserve.

“That’s why I’m delighted that Alzheimer Scotland dementia nurse consultants have been appointed in every health board area. This will help to ensure that our NHS is delivering the type of care that we all expect.

“In addition, we have made the guarantee that from next April all people newly diagnosed with dementia will be entitled to at least a year of post-diagnostic support, co-ordinated by a link worker.”

Chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, Henry Simmons, said: “Alzheimer Scotland has long campaigned for real and demonstrable improvements in acute care for people with dementia.

“Completing these appointments is another significant milestone in our attempt to ensure that people with dementia and their families within general hospitals are treated with the utmost dignity and respect at all times.”