The National Health Service (NHS) in England is getting ready for the future. January saw the publication of the new Long Term Plan, setting out the NHS’ ambition for the next ten years, backed up by GBP 20 billion (EUR 23 billion) in new funding by 2023/24. Its new service model will focus on putting more support in the community, creating new multi-disciplinary teams, to make sure people can get the support they need to stay independent in their community for as long as possible and out of hospital. Within five years, over 2.5 million more people will benefit from ‘social prescribing’, a personal health budget, and new support for managing their own health.
The Alzheimer’s Society’s own Dementia Connect service has been identified as playing a key role in supporting the plan. By 2021, one million people will be living with dementia in the UK and the Alzheimer’s Society wants to be able to reach them all with an offer of support, so no one has to face dementia alone. The Dementia Connect service includes an easy-to-access offer of support and advice over the phone, followed by face-to-face support from a Dementia Adviser for people with more complex needs.
As the Long Term Plan rolls out, the Alzheimer’s Society will work to ensure dementia isn’t left behind. The plan focuses on preventing the biggest causes of early death including heart disease, stroke, and cancer - but could go further on dementia. While the NHS has a new plan, the government is yet to announce its long-awaited Green Paper consultation on social care. The 700,000 people with dementia in England (and 850,000 in the UK) need better support, and NHS and social care policies must be developed in parallel to build a system that works for everyone.
Alzheimer’s Society Chief Executive, Jeremy Hughes said: “Dementia is the biggest challenge facing our health and care system, and the NHS Long Term Plan will help people affected by dementia get better support. However, people with dementia can’t wait for an end to the injustice in the system. We need urgent action to prioritise turning words into action. People with dementia have waited long enough for the support they need and an end to the inequity they face.”
