§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if his Department will introduce a national protocol on(a) diagnostic tests and (b) new treatments for Alzheimer's disease. [7748]
§ Mr. BoatengWe have no plans to introduce a national protocol for diagnostic tests; however, we are considering whether to issue guidance to the National Health Service on new medicines for Alzheimer's disease.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue new guidance to health authorities on how they should assess the needs for people with dementia and their carers in their area. [7749]
§ Mr. BoatengIn March this year guidance was issued to assist managers in purchasing authorities in their responsibilities for meeting the needs of older people, including those with dementia, and their carers. It is entitled "A Handbook on Mental Health for Older People" and copies are available in the Library.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health what guidance he has provided to health authorities on the prescribing of donepezil for people with Alzheimer's disease. [7750]
§ Mr. MilburnWe are considering whether it would be useful to health authorities to issue guidance on the introduction of donepezil for patients with mild to moderate forms of Alzheimer's disease.
§ Mr. BurstowTo ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will issue guidance to health authorities for the establishment of dementia care management units to assume organisational responsibility for the planning and provision of services for people with dementia. [7753]
§ Mr. BoatengOld Age Psychiatry Services are the core National Health Service service for assessing and managing dementia as well as other health problems in older people. Purchasing authorities have been given guidance on the provision of services for people with dementia in the "Handbook on the Mental Health of Older People" which was published in March this year and copies are available in the Library.