ABSTRACT
As of 1 April 2013, dementia has become part of the ‘public health healthcheck’, and Public Health England is working very closely with NHS England. Clearly, giving somebody a ‘label’ of dementia, if that individual has no further benefi t from such a label, is totally counterproductive. It appears that almost three-quarters of people in residential homes have dementia (Macdonald et al., 2002), and yet reports still exist of individuals with dementia being ‘refused’ access to care homes. A correct diagnosis of dementia may allay uncertainty and allow individuals to access the appropriate services. Clinicians, patients and carers or advocates clearly must be in charge, and one of the priorities in English policy is to ensure adequate support is available.
