Oral question asked in the House of Lords, by Baroness Neuberger (Liberal Democrat). It was answered on Wednesday, 2 December 2009.

Dementia

Question: My Lords, does the Minister agree with the Nuffield report that, instead of the risk assessments that are made in care services on a regular basis, we should be looking toward risk-and-benefit assessments, so that people with dementia get some chance to practise everyday activities? In Holland, for example, they do things such as making their own beds, instead of being told that it is unsafe, which is the British practice.

Answer: I thought that that was also an important part of the report. The report points to, for example, filling in a pond in a care home, which had given enormous pleasure to people, because of the risk. The noble Baroness is absolutely right. Overall, the Government are taking this report very seriously indeed. It has messages not just for us and how we deal with the dementia strategy but for all professionals and people who are dealing with people with dementia.

Secondary information