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Dementia 'chemical cosh' warning Dementia 'chemical cosh' warning
(10 minutes later)
Nearly 150,000 dementia patients each year are given anti-psychotic drugs unnecessarily, an official review says.Nearly 150,000 dementia patients each year are given anti-psychotic drugs unnecessarily, an official review says.
The figure represents four in five of all the people who are being prescribed the drugs in care homes, hospitals and their own homes to manage aggression.The figure represents four in five of all the people who are being prescribed the drugs in care homes, hospitals and their own homes to manage aggression.
The use of the drugs - dubbed a chemical cosh - is linked to 1,800 deaths as well as leaving people struggling after strokes and falls.The use of the drugs - dubbed a chemical cosh - is linked to 1,800 deaths as well as leaving people struggling after strokes and falls.
The government in England has agreed to take steps to reduce use of the drugs.The government in England has agreed to take steps to reduce use of the drugs.
These include:These include:
  • Improving access to other types of therapy, such as counselling
  • Better monitoring of prescribing practices
  • Guidance for families explaining what they can do if they are worried about drug use
  • Specialist training in dementia for health and social care staff
  • Appointment of a new national director for dementia to oversee the measures
  • Improving access to other types of therapy, such as counselling
  • Better monitoring of prescribing practices
  • Guidance for families explaining what they can do if they are worried about drug use
  • Specialist training in dementia for health and social care staff
  • Appointment of a new national director for dementia to oversee the measures
The review - and the government pledge to take action - comes after long-running concerns about the use of anti-psychotic drugs.The review - and the government pledge to take action - comes after long-running concerns about the use of anti-psychotic drugs.
Over the past 30 years, the NHS has increasingly turned to the treatment, which was originally aimed at people with schizophrenia, as it has struggled to cope with the rise in people with dementia.Over the past 30 years, the NHS has increasingly turned to the treatment, which was originally aimed at people with schizophrenia, as it has struggled to cope with the rise in people with dementia.
'Different mindset''Different mindset'
There are currently 700,000 people in the UK with the condition, but this is expected to rise to one million in the next 10 years because of the ageing population.There are currently 700,000 people in the UK with the condition, but this is expected to rise to one million in the next 10 years because of the ageing population.
The review, led by King's College London expert Professor Sube Banerjee, accepted that for some people anti-psychotic drugs would be necessary.The review, led by King's College London expert Professor Sube Banerjee, accepted that for some people anti-psychotic drugs would be necessary.
But it said they should be used only for a maximum of three months and when the person represented a risk to themselves or others.But it said they should be used only for a maximum of three months and when the person represented a risk to themselves or others.
This goes beyond quality of care. It is a fundamental rights issue Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society 'He became a different person'This goes beyond quality of care. It is a fundamental rights issue Neil Hunt, of the Alzheimer's Society 'He became a different person'
Professor Banerjee estimated that of the 180,000 people given the drugs each year, only 36,000 benefited.Professor Banerjee estimated that of the 180,000 people given the drugs each year, only 36,000 benefited.
He said health and social care services needed to develop a "different mindset".He said health and social care services needed to develop a "different mindset".
He believes if the steps the government has agreed to are followed, anti-psychotic drug use could be reduced by two-thirds within three years.He believes if the steps the government has agreed to are followed, anti-psychotic drug use could be reduced by two-thirds within three years.
Care services minister Phil Hope agreed action was needed.Care services minister Phil Hope agreed action was needed.
"We know there are situations where anti-psychotic drug use is necessary - we're not calling for a ban, but we do want to see a significant reduction in use.""We know there are situations where anti-psychotic drug use is necessary - we're not calling for a ban, but we do want to see a significant reduction in use."
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said the long-awaited review was a welcome recognition of the scale of the problem.Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said the long-awaited review was a welcome recognition of the scale of the problem.
He added: "This goes beyond quality of care. It is a fundamental rights issue.He added: "This goes beyond quality of care. It is a fundamental rights issue.
"Our members tell us of enormous worry and distress over what is happening to their loved ones.""Our members tell us of enormous worry and distress over what is happening to their loved ones."
But Paul Burstow, a Liberal Democrat MP who has been campaigning on the issue for years, said the measures were long overdue.
"This review comes much too late for thousands of elderly people who's lives have been cut short by the reckless prescribing of anti-psychotic drugs."