County 'worryingly behind' in caring for rising number of dementia cases

30% of general hospital beds in Devon are occupied by people with dementia

- by GUY HENDERSON Local Democracy Reporter [e-mail]

SOUTH Devon MP Caroline Voaden says the county is 'falling worryingly behind' in caring for increasing numbers of people suffering from dementia.

The Liberal Democrat led a debate on dementia care in the House of Commons, and said diagnosis rates in the county are among the worst in the country.

She called for trained dementia nurses in every GP surgery and acute hospital trust, with the aim of keeping people at home and supporting their carers.

She said she had her own family experience with dementia, with her 'confident, witty, generous' father-in-law now almost unrecognisable as the man he used to be and her 'brilliant, funny' cousin also diagnosed with the condition.