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An exciting new step towards improving dementia care

A new Dementia Roadmap developed by the Royal College of General Practitioners has been welcomed by Professor Alistair Burns as a key innovation towards improving care.

NHS England’s National Clinical Director for Dementia said: “The need for high-quality local information for people with dementia and their carers cannot be underestimated.  This new dementia platform can provide a basis for that information which can be provided in a digestible and accessible way.

“The Dementia Roadmap provides a platform by which Clinical Commissioning Groups and colleagues in Primary Care can provide, in one place, a great deal of accessible information on dementia and on what local services are available.”

Professor Burns added: “The RCGP is to be congratulated on developing such an innovative and user-friendly platform to provide information to people with dementia and their carers – something that is key to improving dementia care.

“The development has been thorough, evidence-based and has involved feedback from a number of stake holders and potential users of the platform ensuring its applicability and relevance to people with dementia and their carers.”

The Dementia Roadmap web-based tool has been commissioned by the Department of Health from the Royal College of General Practitioners to support GPs and other primary care staff.

Launched today, the roadmap gives a framework that areas can use to provide local information about dementia to assist primary care staff to more effectively support people with dementia and their carers.

Dr Maureen Baker, Chair of the RCGP said: “Every day GPs are witnessing the devastating impact of dementia on patients and their families.

“Every person diagnosed will have a different experience of the disease. This is why it is vital for doctors to have access to the most comprehensive information about the services and resources locally available.

“Dementia is a clinical priority for the College and this Roadmap will be a huge step forward in helping GPs and healthcare professionals do their best for patients at different points of their experience.”

The Roadmap is a platform that can be replicated across all localities. The current version has been populated with information relevant to three pilot sites in the South West.

It contains national information which has been assessed by a steering group and will be available to any CCG that uses the Roadmap. It is also capable of holding locally relevant information.

The pilot sites carried information on days, times, location and contact details for signing for the brain groups and dementia cafes. The individual CCGs would be responsible for adding their own information.

The Roadmap can be used on a desk top computer, tablet or iPhone – allowing a GP to use it on a home visit – and has links to twitter and email. It will be available to all healthcare professionals as well as the general public.

There have already been other expressions of interest from CCGs not involved in the pilots.