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Focus onDementiaWe ask a GP to share thoughts on their‘hot topic’ - something they feel weshould all know more about.Traditionally recognised as a retirement town,Southport and Formby, in line with nationaltrends is experiencing an ageing populationwhich inevitably brings with it more patientswho are being diagnosed with dementia.Hilal Mulla is a GP at theCorner Practice, Marshside.8
A person with dementia may gradually lose theirindependence and become more reliant on thecare and support of others around them.It is estimated that one in six peopleover 80 years of age will developdementia. As there is no knowncure, the challenge for GPs is firstlyprevention, by addressing risk factorsearly in life such as smoking, obesity,physical inactivity, high blood pressureand diabetes.Diagnosing dementia can be complexand a time of anxiety and fear bothfor the patient and their family. It isimportant therefore to gain goodaccess to timely diagnosis as this canthen open the door to early treatmentsand interventions that can slow theprogression of the illness and improvethe quality of lives for sufferers andtheir families.My experience of the memory servicesin Southport and indeed in Sefton hasbeen very good, and having visitedthem, I’ve been impressed with thededication, hard work and caringnature of the staff. It is not surprisingthen that the memory service in Seftonhas recently been recognised nationallyfor its efforts.The next stage is to build on this andpave the way for services that willimprove the lives of our residentsand their families. This needs to beaddressed through destigmatisation ofthe illness, improving support forcarers and patients that will allowthem to live at home. This can onlybe done in partnership between GPs,“Diagnosing dementiacan be complex and a timeof anxiety and fear both forthe patient and their family.”secondary care providers, local authorityand voluntary services such asAlzheimer’s Society.The Sefton Clinical CommissioningGroups (the people who buy services)have made dementia care a priority,and work has started already througha transformation board that will bringtogether our partners in an effort toaddress the issues facing us all and toput forward real solutions to tackle the‘dementia timebomb’. Hilal Mulla.9
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