All NHS family doctors are to be trained to spot the early symptoms of dementia, under government plans.
All NHS family doctors are to be trained to spot the early symptoms of dementia, under government plans.
Ministers also want to set up "memory clinics" to help the growing number of patients live as normally as possible.
Ministers also want to set up "memory clinics" to help the growing number of patients live as normally as possible.
About 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, a total that is expected to double or triple.
About 700,000 people in the UK have a form of dementia, a total that is expected to double or triple.
The Department of Health says it will ensure appropriate training is provided to health professionals and create more chances for them to specialise.
The Department of Health says it will ensure appropriate training is provided to health professionals and create more chances for them to specialise.
It will be interesting to find out how they are going to train people to spot the early signs of Alzheimer's disease because that is very difficult Dr Frank Gunn-moreSt Andrews University
It will be interesting to find out how they are going to train people to spot the early signs of Alzheimer's disease because that is very difficult Dr Frank Gunn-moreSt Andrews University
A spokeswoman said: "We want to make sure that every GP is trained to spot the first signs of dementia, and to refer patients on to specialists.
A spokeswoman said: "We want to make sure that every GP is trained to spot the first signs of dementia, and to refer patients on to specialists.
"The Department of Health will work with all relevant medical and nursing organisations - including the Royal College of GPs, Skills for Care and the NHS - to make sure that appropriate training is provided for medical students.
"The Department of Health will work with all relevant medical and nursing organisations - including the Royal College of GPs, Skills for Care and the NHS - to make sure that appropriate training is provided for medical students.
Social problem
Social problem
"We will create opportunities for post-graduate education and training in dementia."
"We will create opportunities for post-graduate education and training in dementia."
Care Services Minister Phil Hope told the Daily Mail a national dementia strategy, to be launched next month, could save nearly £1bn, while providing better care.
Care Services Minister Phil Hope told the Daily Mail a national dementia strategy, to be launched next month, could save nearly £1bn, while providing better care.
He said: "As well as national training for GPs, we'd like to see memory clinics in every town, where people can go for treatment and support to help them live their life as normally as possible."
He said: "As well as national training for GPs, we'd like to see memory clinics in every town, where people can go for treatment and support to help them live their life as normally as possible."
These services could be provided by a range of professionals, from geriatricians and psychiatrists to local GPs with a specialist interest, and could involve the voluntary sector, he added.
These services could be provided by a range of professionals, from geriatricians and psychiatrists to local GPs with a specialist interest, and could involve the voluntary sector, he added.
Family GP, Dr Rosemary Leonard, said memory clinics are important for encouraging medical staff to liaise with social services because dementia is a social problem as well as a medical one.
Family GP, Dr Rosemary Leonard, said memory clinics are important for encouraging medical staff to liaise with social services because dementia is a social problem as well as a medical one.
She added: "One of the big problems in the early stages is that a lot of people with dementia cover it up... and although some will come to the surgery, far more often it's relatives who ring us up.
She added: "One of the big problems in the early stages is that a lot of people with dementia cover it up... and although some will come to the surgery, far more often it's relatives who ring us up.
"I would encourage relatives if they are worried to contact their GP."
"I would encourage relatives if they are worried to contact their GP."
Post mortem
Post mortem
Dr Frank Gunn-Moore, a senior lecturer in neurobiology at St Andrews University who specialises in research for Alzheimer's diagnoses and treatment, welcomed the fact that the government was making dementia a higher priority.
Dr Frank Gunn-Moore, a senior lecturer in neurobiology at St Andrews University who specialises in research for Alzheimer's diagnoses and treatment, welcomed the fact that the government was making dementia a higher priority.
However, he warned that differentiating dementia from normal ageing could be difficult. Often dementia was only diagnosed after other possibilities had been ruled out, and could only be definitively confirmed at a post mortem.
However, he warned that differentiating dementia from normal ageing could be difficult. Often dementia was only diagnosed after other possibilities had been ruled out, and could only be definitively confirmed at a post mortem.
He said: "It will be interesting to find out how they are going to train people to spot the early signs of Alzheimer's disease because that is very difficult."
He said: "It will be interesting to find out how they are going to train people to spot the early signs of Alzheimer's disease because that is very difficult."
According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust 163,000 new cases of dementia occur in England and Wales each year - amounting to one every 3.2 minutes.
According to the Alzheimer's Research Trust 163,000 new cases of dementia occur in England and Wales each year - amounting to one every 3.2 minutes.
It says that unless treatments are found the number of people with cognitive impairment who will be placed in institutions will rise by more than 63% from 224,000 in 1998 to 365,000 in 2031.
It says that unless treatments are found the number of people with cognitive impairment who will be placed in institutions will rise by more than 63% from 224,000 in 1998 to 365,000 in 2031.
Rebecca Wood, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said: "This is a much-needed move, as most dementia cases still go undiagnosed.
"Unfortunately dementia research is still severely underfunded, receiving eight times less government research funding than cancer. If we don't act now on research, dementia will cost the UK economy £50 billion annually within 30 years."
Are you a GP? Does anyone in your family have dementia? Have you been affected by issues raised in this story?
Are you a GP? Does anyone in your family have dementia? Have you been affected by issues raised in this story?
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