Spending of dementia funding 'needs tighter regulation'

Better checks are needed to ensure that funding allocated to primary care trusts (PCTs) for the treatment of dementia is used correctly, according to MPs.

Over two-thirds of PCTs are unable to account for how they spent their share of the £150 million that the government made available last year for the national dementia strategy, according to the All Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on Dementia.

The information came to light following a freedom of information request by the APPG, and shows that the "national dream" of a dementia strategy is still not being implemented at local level, the MPs claim.

"Better checks on how and where money is being spent are essential if we are to make the most of this golden opportunity to stem the tide of dementia and provide people with the care and support they need," said the APPG chairman Jeremey Wright.

Responding to the comments, head of policy at the Alzheimer's Society, Andrew Chidgey, said that for the national dementia strategy to be all that it needs to be, greater accountability is required for PCTs.

According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust, around 820,000 people in the UK are living with dementia.

Read more about Barchester's dementia care homes.