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It has long been noted by community psychiatric nurses (CPNs) in Buckinghamshire, that some general practitioners (GPs) frequently refer patients with dementia to the CPN, while others, often within the same practice, rarely do so. This research by Phil Blunden and Richard Long attempts to discover the reasons for this and identify GPs' perceptions of the CPN role, with regards to patients suffering from dementia. One hundred and seventy five GPs were mailed or hand delivered a questionnaire with a covering letter. A sufficient number of responses (55 per cent) managed to give the researchers an increased understanding of what GPs expect from a CPN with regards to dementia care
National Service Frameworks (NSF) (Department of Health, 2001) have recently been established to improve health services and address variations in care by setting national standards. Standard seven of the NSF for older people emphasises the necessity of older people having access to integrated mental health services, to ensure effective diagnosis, treatment and support, for both sufferers and their carers. There has long been concern that the needs of older people with mental health problems have been overlooked, possibly because such needs have not traditionally been considered in a multi-faceted context. The NSF attempts to place these needs in a physiological, psychological, and social context and acknowledges that philosophical and cultural changes are, therefore, necessary within primary, secondary, and social care.
A report by the Audit Commission (2000) found mental health services for older people to be patchy and inconsistent, with wide variation in resources and inter-agency working across the country. The report highlighted the lack of information and support available to many sufferers and carers and said that general practitioners (GPs) often lack the knowledge to help effectively.
The Commission suggested that many GPs require greater support in order to offer effective intervention to those suffering from, or caring for, those with dementia. While most GPs were found to be trained in managing depression, half had not received any specific training in managing dementia and did not use any specific tests or protocols to diagnose it. The report suggests that older people with mental health problems could get help at an earlier stage if specialist professionals gave advice and support to GPs....