Written question asked by Jim Cunningham (Labour) on Tuesday, 22 November 2011, in the House of Commons. It was due for an answer on Thursday, 1 December 2011. It was answered by Paul Burstow (Liberal Democrat) on Thursday, 1 December 2011 on behalf of the Department of Health.

Dementia: Diagnosis

Question: To ask the Secretary of State for Health what steps his Department is taking to increase GPs' ability to identify dementia sufferers.

Answer: The Department has been working with strategic health authorities and deaneries to trial a new approach to dementia education and training for general practitioners (GPs) and practice staff. This involves primary care teams coming together to reflect on and self-assess their practice and identify ways in which they can improve care of people with dementia and their carers. More generally, the National Clinical Director for Dementia has also been working closely with the Royal College of GPs on issues relating to dementia education and training.

Secondary information