Dementia sufferers in hospitals have risen 12 per cent in five years

The number of people being admitted to hospital with dementia has risen by 12 per cent in the past five years, new figures show.

During 2006/07 there were a total of 17,245 emergency admissions for people suffering with the disorder, but that number has shot up by more than 2,000 this year, putting an extra £2.8 million of financial strain on the NHS.

The figures also highlight a failure from some hospitals to accurately spot the signs of dementia and diagnose it accordingly, researchers stated.

In order to improve care for dementia sufferers and lessen risks, the report suggests that the Department of Health works closely with the Dementia Action Alliance to develop dementia indicators in the 2012/13 NHS Outcomes Framework.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, said: "Commissioners must invest in services in the community to reduce this number and help people with dementia to live well at home. In just ten years a million people will be living with the condition so change cannot come soon enough."

A recent audit of 210 hospitals carried out by the Royal College of Psychiatrists suggested that more communication with families is needed and patients need to be given a more personal service if care is to improve.

Posted by the Paying for Care editorial team