Dementia currently affects over a half a million people in England alone; this number is set to rise considerably as more people live longer. Sixty thousand deaths a year are directly attributable to dementia, and the current cost to the NHS is estimated at £1.3 billion a year.
This report looks at the key issues for NHS trusts in improving care for patients with dementia, the majority of whom will have been admitted for another condition. It showcases the innovative work that NHS trusts and cross-agency partnerships are undertaking in this area to enhance patient care and describes how significant improvements can be achieved in terms of both the quality and efficiency of patient care.