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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
Transport funding bid considered | |
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 | Cabinet Office3 February 2012Transport funding bid consideredLeicestershire County Council is preparing to submit a bid for 4. 5m to improve sustainable transport in and around Loughborough and Coalville.... 03 Feb 2012 Transport funding bid considered |
Appeal after cash-in-transit robbery in Leicester this morning (Friday February 3) | |
 | Appeal after cash-in-transit robbery in Leicester this morning (Friday February 3)Detectives investigating a cash-in-transit robbery in Leicester this morning (February 3) are appealing for public help. The incident took place at about 9.... 03 Feb 2012 Appeal after cash-in-transit robbery in Leicester this morning (Friday February 3) |
Bid to boost care for looked after children | |
| Cabinet Office3 February 2012Bid to boost care for looked after childrenMore looked after children will live with families if plans to close a care home are agreed. Leicestershire County Council wants to increase the number of children placed with foster carers or in family settings and as a result, is considering closing Littlehill House Children's Home in Wigston.... 03 Feb 2012 Bid to boost care for looked after children |
New names for care homes | |
| Adults & Communities3 February 2012New names for care homesNine county council care homes will have new names when they transfer to Leicestershire County Care Ltd in the next few weeks. The transfer will save the council 1 million per year, while retaining places for existing residents, safeguarding the jobs of existing staff and enabling improvements such as en-suite facilities.... 03 Feb 2012 New names for care homes |
Cabinet to finalise budget proposals | |
| Chief Executive's3 February 2012Cabinet to finalise budget proposalsLeicestershire County Councils cabinet is to finalise proposals to freeze Council Tax and save an extra 10 million from services over the next four years. The councils cabinet meets on February 10th to finalise its 345 million budget, in the light of public comments on proposals to: Freeze its share of Council Tax for the next four years, pegging the county councils band D charge to 1,063 per year Save 74m over the next four years, in large part due to reduced Government grant and the loss of funding to academies Make 49m of these savings from efficiencies Save 24m from services, including public transportOnline consultation took place between January 17th and January 31st.... 03 Feb 2012 Cabinet to finalise budget proposals |
Related News
Care Home Sale | |
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 | 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 |
Pioneering art therapy scheme launched | |
| Adults & Communities22 September 2011Pioneering art therapy scheme launchedA pioneering art therapy project for people with dementia and learning disabilities has been launched by Leicestershire County Council. Touching Minds takes specially-commissioned artworks into care homes and other venues, to stimulate adults with dementia or learning disabilities and children with special needs.... 22 Sep 2011 Pioneering art therapy scheme launched |
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. |
Care home transfer agreed | |
| Adult Social Care Service15 March 2011Care home transfer agreedNine Leicestershire County Council care homes are set to be transferred to Southend Care Ltd, maintaining places for existing residents. Leicestershires ruling cabinet backed the deal after Southend Care Ltd beat bids from three other shortlisted providers.... 15 Mar 2011 Care home transfer agreed |
Relevant News
Care Home Sale | |
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| 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 |
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 |
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 |
Most Read News (today)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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 | 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 |
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 |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (this month)
Leicester men guilty of smuggling 36m of cannabis | |
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| 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 |
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 |
Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley | |
| Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley Police are appealing for witnesses after a burglary at a building site in Hinckley. The incident happened at a building site at a premises on Baines Lane between 4.... 10 Mar 2009 Cement mixer stolen from Hinckley |
Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious | |
| Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspiciousOfficers investigating the circumstances surrounding the death of a woman in Shepshed have confirmed that the death is not being treated as suspicious. The body was discovered in Butthole Lane at about 1pm on Wednesday January 5.... 06 Jan 2011 Police confirm death of woman in Shepshed is non-suspicious |
Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough | |
| Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in LoughboroughPaulius TroninasA 19-year-old man has today (Friday January 7, 2011) been found guilty of the assault and rape of a woman in Loughborough. Paulius Troninas, 19, of Paget Street, Loughborough was found guilty of rape and section 18 grievous bodily harm following a trial at Nottingham Crown Court.... 07 Jan 2011 Man found guilty of assault and rape of woman in Loughborough |
Most Read News (alltime)
Forensic Psychology | |
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 | 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 |
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 |
Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam | |
| Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scamTop L to R - Sandip Rana, Satish Ravat, Vishal Shah bottom L to R Bhavesh Patel and Jaswinder ChahalFive Leicester men have today (Thursday November 25) been sentenced for their part in an illegal immigration scam. Bhavesh Patel (27) of Columbine Road, Hamilton, Satish Ravat (28) of Arbour Road, Leicester, Sandip Singh Rana (29) of Moores Road, Leicester, Jaswinder Chahal (42) of Swithland Avenue, Leicester and Vishal Jitendra Shah (25) of Braemar Close, Leicester pleaded guilty at Leicester Crown Court at an earlier hearing to assisting unlawful immigration to a member state contrary to section 25 of the Immigration Act 1971.... 25 Nov 2010 Five Leicester men sentenced after illegal immigration scam |
Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse | |
| Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester RacecourseMembers from Leicester, Leicestershire and Rutland Local Resilience Forum (LRF) have today (Wednesday October 27, 2010) been involved in a pre-planned exercise to test how emergency services would cope with a major incident. At 10.... 27 Oct 2010 Multi agency forum test explosion exercise at Leicester Racecourse |
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 |