A survey of services for younger people with dementia.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the provision of services for younger people with dementia by trusts in England and to examine their attitudes towards specialization.


METHODS
Postal survey.


METHODS
Hospital and community trusts in England. Of 354 trusts, 304 responded (84%).


METHODS
Provision of general adult and old age psychiatry services: type of services provided for younger people with dementia and specialists providing these services; provision of specialists services for younger people with dementia; attitudes towards developing specialists services; assessment of need.


RESULTS
The majority of services were provided by trusts with existing psychiatric services, in particular old age psychiatry services. Specialization was uncommon and practised by only 12 trusts. In contrast, 101 trusts saw the development of specialists services as 'necessary', especially those trusts who had investigated the needs of younger patients with dementia (p = 0.001).


CONCLUSIONS
This survey supports the notion that trusts and purchasers should undertake to assess the needs of younger patients with dementia. Role of specialization is discussed.
Barber
R
R
University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
D000328:Adult; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D016009:Chi-Square Distribution; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003704:Dementia / Q000628:therapy*; D004739:England; D019538:Health Care Surveys; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006299:Health Services for the Aged / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008511:Medicine / Q000706:statistics & numerical data* / Q000639:trends; D008605:Mental Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D008875:Middle Aged; D013038:Specialization