HC Deb 30 January 2004 vol 417 c551W
Mrs. Iris Robinson

To ask the Secretary of State for Northern Ireland what recent steps he has taken to improve services for those who develop dementia early in life. [151183]

Angela Smith

The Health and Social Services Trusts provide a range of hospital and community-based services to people with dementia, including those who develop this condition early in life. However there are some younger people whose needs are not being fully met and Trusts are therefore working with this group to determine their specific requirements. The emphasis will be on maintaining people with dementia at home with adequate support from qualified and trained staff.

Dementia services will be included in a comprehensive evaluation of policy and services being undertaken by the Review of Mental Health and Learning Disability.