§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what provision her Department is making over the next five years for the younger sufferers from Alzheimer's disease; and if she will make a statement.
§ Mr. BowisThe arrangements for assessing and meeting the needs of younger sufferers from Alzheimer's disease are decided by local health and social services authorities.
§ Mr. David PorterTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if she will make a statement on the aims and methods of assessing Alzheimer's disease sufferers' needs; and if she will make it her policy to allow more weight in assessment to be given to the views of family carers.
§ Mr. BowisThe introduction of the health checks on patients aged 75 and over in general practitioners' contracts provides an opportunity for the cognitive impairment caused by Alzheimer's disease to be detected. Under the new community care arrangements care managers are responsible for assessing the needs of sufferers from Alzheimer's disease and for arranging for their needs to be met. Guidance emphasises that carers views' should be taken into account and, where appropriate, carers should be offered a separate assessment.