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David Taylor MP has introduced a Ten Minute Rule Bill in the House of Commons which aims to end the ‘chemical cosh’ approach to the prescription of anti-psychotic drugs for people with dementia in care homes.
The Bill seeks to implement the recommendations of a report Always a Last Resort by an all-party group (of which David was a member) which reached some startling conclusions and found consensus among patient and professional organisations, regulators and the care home sector that over-prescribing is currently a massive problem. It is estimated that these drugs are wrongly prescribed in an incredible 70% of cases.
Introducing the Bill, the North West Leicestershire MP said “The frail elderly in our population far too often have no-one to speak for them and are being disgracefully and unfairly treated when at their most vulnerable with some type of dementia. One third of all people over 65 will be suffering from dementia when they die, their condition will touch the lives of millions more families and friends, who will provide care and support to the victims of this cruel and relentless disease.
“We cannot continue to speed the decline of dementia patients through poor management with expensive and often inappropriate antipsychotic drugs in care homes. We know that the number of people with dementia in the UK is expected to reach 1 million in 2025. And last year, care homes spent £60 million on antipsychotic drugs, even though they were not appropriate forms of treatment in most cases.
“As the dementia population continues to grow, we must equip care home staff with the skills necessary to identify different forms of behaviour amongst dementia residents.
“Care homes have a large and increasing amount of responsibility for caring for our population of dementia patients. Two-thirds of the care home population suffer from a form of dementia, and dementia sufferers in care homes are more likely to be in the advanced stages of the disease.
“Too often and too quickly it seems antipsychotics are prescribed to manage behaviour that is neither distressing or threatening, such as restlessness or being vocal – often basic expressions of need.
“The Under-Secretary of State for Health has said that he wants to bring dementia out of the shadows. I hope that the Bill and our report will pierce the Stygian gloom and illuminate one of the bleakest and darkest recesses of that dire and degenerative chamber that faces one in three of us. There is much good practice out there in dealing with the behavioural symptoms of dementia in a non-pharmacological manner. We need to spread and entrench that in all care home settings. That is currently happening at far too slow a rate and demands urgent action now.
“The 1,000 or more people with dementia here in North West Leicestershire - and in every constituency - deserve better. In the interests of those hundreds of thousands of our fellow citizens, my Bill, like our all-party group report, aims to flag up some suggestions on the way ahead for the crucial national dementia strategy in a few months.
“The use of anti-psychotics should always be the course of last resort. “
Further Information
The key aims of the Bill are:
• Dementia training to be mandatory for all care home staff.
• Care homes to be properly supported by external services, including GPs, community psychiatric nurses, psychologists and psychiatrists, involving regular visits to the care home and its residents.
• The use of antipsychotics for people with dementia must be included in Mental Capacity Act training for all care home staff.
• Protocols for the prescribing, monitoring and review of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia must be introduced.
• The regulation and audit of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia should be compulsory.
Latest News
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
|---|---|
 | Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester | |
| Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester Police in Leicester are appealing for witnesses after an incident of graffiti. The incidents happened at around 7pm on Saturday May 30, 2009 when a resident of a house heard a noise outside her front door on Pindar Road.... 08 Jun 2009 Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester |
Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall | |
| Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on Ivychurch Crescent in Netherhall. The incident happened at about 9.... 08 Jun 2009 Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |
National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched | |
| National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched Tackling Drugs Changing Lives that s the message behind the national campaign which the police and Community Safety Partnerships across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are taking part in. The work Leicestershire police and their partners do to tackle drugs, reduce drug related crime and educate people about the effects of drugs will be highlighted during the National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009).... 08 Jun 2009 National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched |
Related News
Care Home Sale | |
|---|---|
 | Ten care providers interested in buying six County Council care homes have been shortlisted. Leicestershire County Council today published the names of providers who have been invited to submit formal bids for six residential care homes by 6 May 2008.... 04 Apr 2008 Care Home Sale |
Alzheimers Research | |
 | Local North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor has backed a House of Commons motion supporting the campaign by Terry Pratchett and the Alzheimer?s Research Trust to urgently increase Government funding of Alzheimer?s disease research.... 25 Apr 2008 Alzheimers Research |
Loughborough care home to be sold. | |
 | The sale of six County Council care homes, including one in Loughborough, has been agreed by Leicestershire?s ruling Cabinet.... 23 Jun 2008 Loughborough care home to be sold. |
Loughborough University research finds tofu linked to poorer memory | |
 | People who eat high levels of some soy products, including tofu and other so-called ?superfoods?, may be at an increased risk of memory loss. ... 08 Jul 2008 Loughborough University research finds tofu linked to poorer memory |
Secret Meeting At County Hall | |
 | Press and public were excluded from a crucial meeting held at County Hall that discussed the sale of 6 care homes. ... 20 Jun 2008 Secret Meeting At County Hall |
Relevant News
Care Home Sale | |
|---|---|
| Ten care providers interested in buying six County Council care homes have been shortlisted. Leicestershire County Council today published the names of providers who have been invited to submit formal bids for six residential care homes by 6 May 2008.... 04 Apr 2008 Care Home Sale |
LAW RESEARCH FOCUSES ON PATIENTS WHO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT ABROAD | |
 | New research at the University of Leicester has investigated the legal standing of patients to seek funding from the NHS for treatment undertaken elsewhere in the European Union.... 09 Apr 2008 LAW RESEARCH FOCUSES ON PATIENTS WHO SEEK MEDICAL TREATMENT ABROAD |
MP BACKS GREEN HOUSING CAMPAIGN | |
 | North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor has pledged his support for a national campaign calling for all new homes to meet higher environmental standards. ... 18 Apr 2008 MP BACKS GREEN HOUSING CAMPAIGN |
Alzheimers Research | |
| Local North West Leicestershire MP David Taylor has backed a House of Commons motion supporting the campaign by Terry Pratchett and the Alzheimer?s Research Trust to urgently increase Government funding of Alzheimer?s disease research.... 25 Apr 2008 Alzheimers Research |
The breathing lifeline that comes at a price | |
 | Universities of Leicester and Nottingham collaborate on new research The ventilators on an intensive care ward of a hospital offer a vital lifeline to the sickest and most vulnerable patients, providing the oxygen that keeps them alive when they are unable to breathe for themselves. However, the use of these machines can come at a price every year thousands of patients are left with debilitating lung injuries, a small number of which are so serious the patient never recovers.... 05 Jun 2008 The breathing lifeline that comes at a price |
Most Read News (today)
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
|---|---|
 | Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |
Forensic Psychology | |
 | Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Most Read News (this month)
Second collision on M1 northbound | |
|---|---|
| Leicestershire Constabulary are investigating a second fatal collision on the M1 northbound. The first collision happened at around 8.... 12 Nov 2008 Second collision on M1 northbound |
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
| Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis Anjam Nazir, Mohinder Singh, Baljinder Singh Three men from Leicester have pleaded guilty to their part in one of the country s biggest Cannabis smuggling operations. Leicestershire Constabulary is now able to provide details about the 36m drugs investigation following the conclusion of the trial at Winchester Crown Court today (Tuesday June 2).... 02 Jun 2009 Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis |
Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road | |
| Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road Officers from the force s Serious Collision Investigation Unit are appealing for witnesses after a fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road. The collision occurred at around 7.... 08 Jun 2009 Fatal road traffic collision on Melton Road |
Missing girl returns home safe and well | |
| Missing girl returns home safe and well Officers investigating the disappearance of a 14-year-old girl have confirmed she has returned safe and well. Sarah Dunn was reported missing from home on Monday May 25.... 08 Jun 2009 Missing girl returns home safe and well |
Forensic Psychology | |
| Volunteers are being sought to take part in a new study at the University of Leicester which will have important implications for forensic research. Participants are required to spend just 30 minutes undertaking memory tasks and questionnaires which will help to shed new light on the relationship between personality, the experience of life adversity, and eye-witness memory.... 23 May 2008 Forensic Psychology |
Most Read News (alltime)
Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall | |
|---|---|
| Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall Police are appealing for witnesses following a serious road traffic collision on Ivychurch Crescent in Netherhall. The incident happened at about 9.... 08 Jun 2009 Witness appeal following serious collision in Netherhall |
Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester | |
| Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester Police in Leicester are appealing for witnesses after an incident of graffiti. The incidents happened at around 7pm on Saturday May 30, 2009 when a resident of a house heard a noise outside her front door on Pindar Road.... 08 Jun 2009 Appeal following graffiti incident in Leicester |
National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched | |
| National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched Tackling Drugs Changing Lives that s the message behind the national campaign which the police and Community Safety Partnerships across Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland are taking part in. The work Leicestershire police and their partners do to tackle drugs, reduce drug related crime and educate people about the effects of drugs will be highlighted during the National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009).... 08 Jun 2009 National Tackling Drugs Week (8-12 June, 2009) launched |
Local children’s author Rose Impey to visit Oadby Library | |
 | Community Services 5 June 2009 Local children s author Rose Impey to visit Oadby Library A highly regarded and well known local children s author and story teller is to visit Oadby Library. Rose Impey will be making an appearance at 4pm on Monday, 22nd June.... 06 Jun 2009 Local children’s author Rose Impey to visit Oadby Library |
Police appeal after number of burglaries in Beaumont Leys | |
| Police appeal after number of burglaries in Beaumont Leys Police in Beaumont Leys are appealing for witnesses after three houses were burgled on Galleywood Drive. All three instances of burglary happened on the evening of Saturday May 30.... 05 Jun 2009 Police appeal after number of burglaries in Beaumont Leys |