A couple of quotes to start off with;

“This report is timely in that it highlights concerns about how anti-psychotic drugs are used across the sector and we believe that specific training is urgently needed to support staff who work with people with dementia,” says Skills for Care CEO Andrea Rowe.

Stephen Burke, Chief Executive, Counsel and Care said: 'It also shows how far we still have to travel before full transformation of the social care system is achieved, and a place is reached where we can confidently state that when an older person with dementia is being supported to manage their complex care needs, their best interests and wishes, and those of their families and carers, will always remain the central focus.'

It seems that many people still do not focus on the real problem of anti-psychotic drugs used for dementia sufferers and that is the fact that it is Doctors who are prescribing them in the first place and it should be their responsibility to prescribe the correct medication for individuals. Care homes do not prescribe medication, yet the focus on the problem seems to predominantly focus on social care delivery.

Yes there have been instances where medication is given to frequently by care home staff but this could only be possible where doctors are complicit and ready to freely prescribe anti-psychotic drugs.

Somewhat ironically Skills for Health have put out no press release on this subject!

Now is the time to start thinking of ways to help dementia sufferers without sedating them with anti-psychotics but more importantly we need to fund new initiatives, perhaps we should have a commitment from the Department of Health that the money save in the cost of prescribed anti-psychotics should be ring-fenced to provide training in other methods of care for those with dementia.

It may also be time to consider the roles of organisations such as Skills for Health who should be responsible for ensuring medical professionals understand dementia and the use of anti-psychotic drugs.

The medical profession and health sector makes take responsibility for their part in over prescribing inappropriate drugs and not let the whole debacle fall on the shoulders of social care.