quality forum 2012 - health talks - helen bevan
TRANSCRIPT
Expected rise in UK dementia cases
Age over 85LARGE RISE
Age under 85SMALL RISE
Behavioural and psychological symptoms in people with dementia
disturbed sleep
shouting
Repeated
questioning
agitationwandering
psychosis
depression
“short-term treatment (up to six weeks) of persistent aggression in patients with moderate to severe Alzheimer’s dementia, unresponsive to non-
pharmacological approaches and when there is a risk of harm to self or others”.
The reality
• Estimated 180,000 people in England with dementia were getting antipsychotics
• Only 36,000 get any clinical benefit from the drugs
• Negatives far outweigh the positives
Source: Bannerjee report
The chemical cosh: people with dementia
It doesn’t have to be that way!
Our goal
By 31st March 2012:
all people with dementia who are receiving antipsychotic
drugs will have undergone a clinical review to ensure that if
they are receiving these drugs they are doing so
appropriately and that alternatives to their prescription have
been considered and a shared decision has been agreed
regarding their future care
Called to action!
1. People with dementia and their carers2. Those who can give voice and advocacy to people
with dementia and their carers3. Clinical decision makers who prescribe and review
the drugs4. Those with authority who can promote best
practice
Pharmacists’ commitment