GPs To Be Given £55 For Every Diagnosis Of Dementia

GPs are to be given £55 for every patient they diagnose with dementia under new plans from NHS England.

The new scheme forms part of a £5 million funding boost for general practice, announced by NHS chief executive Simon Stevens at the the Royal College of General Practitioners conference earlier this month.

The service is optional for GPs to take part in and bases payment on the net increase in the dementia register at the end of March 2015, compared with the end of September 2014.

This move is part of NHS England’s ongoing push to identify and diagnose two-thirds of people with dementia by April 2015.

George McNamara, Head of Policy and Public Affairs at Alzheimer’s Society said:

‘Given that only half of people living with dementia receive a diagnosis, any steps towards improving diagnosis is a good thing. However, a focus on enhanced payments is only part of the answer and alone will not suffice.

‘GPs are motivated by caring for their patients, not ticking boxes. We know that some doctors are reluctant to give a diagnosis because they know the right help and support isn’t available locally. It’s absolutely vital that every person with dementia understands what is happening to them and has access to the help they need afterwards.

‘Alzheimer’s Society will be working closely with CCGs and GP practices to support them in reaching out to people worried about their memory.’