The Gnosall project: Setting new benchmarks for dementia care

Abstract

A pioneering project in Staffordshire is expected to play a pivotal role in shaping the treatment of dementia in the UK. The GP who developed the scheme has already won national recognition for his work. Dr Ian Greaves received the 2010 GP Enterprise Award from the Royal College of Practitioners. He introduced a service at the Gnosall Health Centre that helped to reduce the diagnosis period for dementia from the national average of 3 years to just 4 weeks. Since its launch, the project has saved the NHS about £400,000. The National Dementia Strategy recognises the importance of early diagnosis and improved patient care. This paper describes how specialist services, families, and primary care providers have worked together to make the project a success — particularly through the screening of primary care vascular databases for patients with cognitive decline. There is considerable evidence associating vascular disease and dementia.