Burstow announces £10m boost for dementia memory services

The government has announced a £10m boost for dementia memory services to improve earlier diagnosis and treatment of the condition.

The money is expected to fund improved advice and information on local services, peer support for dementia sufferers, assessment of carers’ needs and help for families in planning for the future, provided within memory clinics.

The funding will go straight to local authorities, which will be expected to agree with primary care trusts how the money will be best spent in each community.

Care services minister Paul Burstow said: “While there is no cure for dementia, we know that early diagnosis and early intervention can help people take control of their condition and plan for the future. With access to the right services and support, people with dementia can continue to live well for many years. Memory services have a really important role to play in this.”

The Department of Health also released figures showing 94% of PCTs have a dedicated memory services and a further 4% plan to set one up; average PCT spending on memory services has increased from £486,000 to £593,000 from 2008-9 to 2010-11, and the average number of people accessing each service has increased from 605 in 2008-9 to 951 in 2010-11.

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