CRISIS FEARS AS DEMENTIA DRUGS DOUBLE IN A DECADE
DEMAND FOR MORE FUNDING TO FACE CHALLENGE Rise follows explosive increase in diagnosed cases
The number of drugs prescribed for dementia has doubled in Scotland in just 10 years, according to shocking NHS figures.
A total of 270,000 treatments were handed out to patients for the disease last year – compared with just 136,000 in 2010.
Jim Pearson, director of policy and research for Alzheimer Scotland, has said the massive rise is “to be expected” because of the explosion in the number of cases being diagnosed.
He added: “Dementia is the biggest health and social care challenge faced by society today.
“There are more than 90,000 people living with dementia in Scotland and this number is growing.
“It is estimated that 20,000 people will be diagnosed with dementia in the coming year alone.
“The increased prescription of drugs for the treatment of the il lnesses which cause dementia is therefore to be expected.
“These statistics highlight the crucial importance of diagnosis, not only in accessing appropriate drug treatments but ensuring that people w i th dementia, and thei r carers , receive the highest quality of coordinated support, care and treatment throughout the course of the illness.”
Scottish Conservative mental health spokeswoman Annie Wells has claimed the country is in the midst of a “dementia crisis” and is demanding new funding to combat the condition following the release of the Information Ser v ices Div ision Scotland statistics.
She said: “The fact the number of dementia cases has doubled within the space of a decade shows the scale of the challenge facing the NHS.
“These are vulnerable people who need and deserve the highest standard of care.
“But the SNP’s negligence of the NHS means wards are shortstaffed and the health service is completely ill- equipped to deal with these increasing cases.
“Ministers have been warned for years about the impact of an ageing populat ion and have refused to listen.
“If the nationalists don’t act now, the wellbeing of thousands upon thousands of dementia patients will be at risk.”
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