Care workers could be given dementia training - as more than half don’t receive any

Care workers could get specialist training in how to look after patients with dementia as part of Andy Burnham’s overhaul of social care.

Health Secretary Yvette Cooper announced on Wednesday that a new Dementia Tsar – one of the early recommendations of Baroness Louise Casey’s social care commission – will be in place within weeks to “help drive forward much-needed improvements” in the sector.

The Alzheimer’s Society said it stands ready to work with the Prime Minister for a “quick win” on social care such as training carers in how to deal with patients with dementia.

Shorts

Currently, there is no legal requirement that exists for care staff to undertake dementia training in England, Wales or Northern Ireland. All care workers are offered dementia training in Scotland.