HC Deb 18 October 2001 vol 372 c1354W
Mr. Drew

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on his Department's policy on older people whose health problems include challenging behaviour. [8532]

Jacqui Smith

The National Service Framework for Older People was published on 27 March this year. It sets, for the first time, new national standards of care for all older people, across all care settings. The NSF looks at conditions that mainly affect older people, including dementia.

Standard 7 of the NSF relates to mental health and will ensure that those older people who have mental health problems have access to integrated mental health services to ensure effective diagnosis, treatment and support, for them and for their carers.

Although memory loss is a universal symptom of dementia, psychiatric systems and behavioural disturbances (such as depression, wandering, agitation, aggression, hallucinations and paranoid ideas) may also be present in those individuals with dementia.

The NSF recognised that specialist mental health services should be available to be consulted about and treat the most common mental health disorders in old age (depression, dementia, schizophrenia, mania and confusional states). Specialist care may be required for individuals suffering from behavioural and psychological symptoms of dementia.

A full range of psychological and physical treatments should be available, including: advice on behavioural management for people in residential and nursing homes; drug treatment with antipsychotic and other forms of medications, where appropriate; individual and family counselling and support.

The Department has issued guidance to staff on managing violence in all healthcare settings, including mental health. The guidance was issued as part of the National Health Service zero tolerance zone campaign to tackle violence against staff working in the NHS.

The guidance "Managing Violence in Mental Health" states that individual patients should be risk assessed for violence to themselves and/or others. Where a risk of violence is identified, an action plan or strategy for dealing with such behaviour should also be in place.