01/05/2013
Dementia Patients 'To Wear GPS Devices'
Campaigners have criticised a decision by a police force to buy tracking devices for dementia patients.
Elderly care campaigners described the move as "barbaric" and "inhumane".
According to the Telegraph, Sussex Police have purchased 15 GPS tags which they hope will save them money searching for pensioners who go missing.
Chief Inspector Tanya Jones said: "The GPS will be very cost-effective to the police. It will reduce anxiety for the family and really reduce the police time spent on this issue."
However, Dot Gibson, General Secretary of the National Pensioners Convention claimed the police were "trying to get care on the cheap".
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "I think they should withdraw it straight away. Trying to equate somebody who has committed a criminal act with somebody who is suffering dementia is completely wrong.
"It looks at the problem in the wrong way. If you've got people in the community who are so bad that they are wandering off at night and are not safe, they should be properly cared for, they shouldn't be tagged.
"It's a crude form of monitoring when the issue needs a much more detailed response than this. This is a back-of-an-envelope response."
In the UK, there are currently 800,000 people suffering from dementia.
(JP/CD)
Elderly care campaigners described the move as "barbaric" and "inhumane".
According to the Telegraph, Sussex Police have purchased 15 GPS tags which they hope will save them money searching for pensioners who go missing.
Chief Inspector Tanya Jones said: "The GPS will be very cost-effective to the police. It will reduce anxiety for the family and really reduce the police time spent on this issue."
However, Dot Gibson, General Secretary of the National Pensioners Convention claimed the police were "trying to get care on the cheap".
Speaking to Sky News, she added: "I think they should withdraw it straight away. Trying to equate somebody who has committed a criminal act with somebody who is suffering dementia is completely wrong.
"It looks at the problem in the wrong way. If you've got people in the community who are so bad that they are wandering off at night and are not safe, they should be properly cared for, they shouldn't be tagged.
"It's a crude form of monitoring when the issue needs a much more detailed response than this. This is a back-of-an-envelope response."
In the UK, there are currently 800,000 people suffering from dementia.
(JP/CD)
Related UK National News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
27 November 2007
'Huge Inequalities' In Alzheimer's Care
There are "huge inequalities" in standards of residential care for people suffering from dementia, a new report from the Alzheimer's Society has claimed. The charity's 'Home From Home' report surveyed more than 3,500 people, including relatives of people with dementia, care home staff and managers.
'Huge Inequalities' In Alzheimer's Care
There are "huge inequalities" in standards of residential care for people suffering from dementia, a new report from the Alzheimer's Society has claimed. The charity's 'Home From Home' report surveyed more than 3,500 people, including relatives of people with dementia, care home staff and managers.
03 February 2010
Dementia Research 'Underfunded'
Dementia research in the UK remains more underfunded than other serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, an Alzheimer charity warned today, it has been claimed. It costs the health service five times more to treat a dementia patient than the average person suffer from cancer.
Dementia Research 'Underfunded'
Dementia research in the UK remains more underfunded than other serious illnesses such as cancer and heart disease, an Alzheimer charity warned today, it has been claimed. It costs the health service five times more to treat a dementia patient than the average person suffer from cancer.
07 November 2011
Six In Every Ten With Dementia 'Undiagnosed'
Around 60% of people with dementia in England go undiagnosed. This means almost 400,000 people could be going without the vital support the NHS and social care services can offer. The National Audit Office estimates that, nationally, dementia costs health and social care services £8.2 billion per year.
Six In Every Ten With Dementia 'Undiagnosed'
Around 60% of people with dementia in England go undiagnosed. This means almost 400,000 people could be going without the vital support the NHS and social care services can offer. The National Audit Office estimates that, nationally, dementia costs health and social care services £8.2 billion per year.
22 October 2014
GPs To Be Paid For Dementia Diagnoses
NHS England have announced that GPs are to be paid £55 for each new diagnoses of dementia. It is understood the payments are to be made in an effort to increase the number of sufferers receiving treatment for the condition. Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms that result from a number of different diseases of the brain.
GPs To Be Paid For Dementia Diagnoses
NHS England have announced that GPs are to be paid £55 for each new diagnoses of dementia. It is understood the payments are to be made in an effort to increase the number of sufferers receiving treatment for the condition. Dementia is an umbrella term for a range of symptoms that result from a number of different diseases of the brain.
01 April 2009
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
New Law To Strengthen Protection Of Vulnerable People
Some of the most vulnerable people in society will be better protected against abuse and poor care as a result of new legislation coming into force today. People who lack capacity in hospitals and care homes will now be protected by a new law nown as the 'Mental Capacity Act Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards'.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherToday:A sunny but frosty start for many. However cloud increases by midday with a few showers reaching the north coast, these mostly light but spreading inland this afternoon. Chilly. Maximum temperature 8 °C.Tonight:A rather cloudy evening with scattered showers. Becoming drier through the night with some good clear spells developing and a patchy frost away from coasts. Minimum temperature 0 °C.