abstract: The views of members of minority ethnic groups concerning dementia services is an area of research in which findings remain relatively sparse. This study conducted in Scotland involved data collection from two sources. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with service providers, including general practitioners and hospital consultants, community psychiatric nurses, and NHS and voluntary sector organisations providing mental health services for older people. The second aspect of the study involved four case studies of South Asian people who had a diagnosis of dementia. The results indicated that professionals had divided opinions on whether specialist services for people from ethnic minority groups should be developed. There was a wide measure of agreement that dementia should be discussed through the use of a 'physical illness' idiom. Service users focused on poor quality of life, and a desperate need for support.