Policy

A shared approach to improving the care and support for people with dementia, their families and carers receive following a diagnosis. The declaration sets out: a shared commitment to joint action across government, health, social care, the third sector and all other relevant partners; the ambition to deliver better quality post-diagnostic care; and the need to deliver integrated and effective services that meet the needs of people with dementia and their families and carers.

Reports how a complaint about a refusal to re-house a carer nearer her mother uncovered a conflict between a council's policies on social services and housing.

The National Strategy for Carers has raised the profile of carers needs, but does social services really treat carers as co-workers. The article looks at the impact of other initiatives, such as a Welfare to Work, and the way in which policy and practice may affect attitudes to carers.