Robert Brown backs a Charter of Rights for People with Dementia

12.00.00am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 21st Oct 2009

Glasgow MSP Robert Brown has helped to launch Scotland's first ever Charter of Rights for people with dementia and their carers in the Scottish Parliament.

There are currently more than 69,500 people living in Scotland who have been diagnosed with dementia. Alzheimer Scotland has projected this to increase to 127,000 by 2031.

Mr. Brown has campaigned for better rights for those with dementia, and earlier this year lodged a Parliamentary motion on the inadequacies of care for those with the condition living in residential homes.

Mr. Brown has also asked several Parliamentary Questions on the matter.

The Charter was developed by the Scottish Parliaments Cross Party Group on Alzheimer's which brought together MSPs and external organisations, including Alzheimer Scotland, the Mental Welfare Commission, the Scottish Human Rights Commission, Crossreach and the Royal College of Psychiatrists.

The final document is the culmination of over half a year's work, including a series of roadshows throughout Scotland which brought together service users, medical professionals and care home staff.

People with dementia and their carers have the same human rights as every other citizen. However, it is widely recognised that - in addition to the impact of the illness - they face cultural, social and economic barriers to fulfilling these.

The Charter aims to empower people with dementia, those who support them and the community as a whole to ensure their rights are recognised and respected.

During a debate on the Charter in the Scottish Parliament the Scottish Government confirmed that they would accept the document in its entirety.

Robert Brown MSP wants people in the local area to give their support to the Charter by "signing up" online at http://www.dementiarights.org/support-the-charter/

Robert Brown said:

"The publication of a Charter of Rights for people with dementia and their carers is long overdue. In recent years numerous reports have demonstrated that levels of care for people with dementia are simply not at a high enough standard.

"Only earlier this year a report - Remember I'm Still Me - highlighted a worrying lack of knowledge in some cases about administration of drugs, and the use of activity in care homes by those who care for those with dementia.

"Frighteningly, the report also showed a lack of adherence to guidelines about how people should be restrained.

"The report also showed that 70% of people in care homes had dementia - but that only a third of care home managers had undergone a recognised training course about caring for people with dementia. This is blatantly not acceptable.

"This Charter should be used both as an empowering tool for service users, and also serve as a framework for care homes, hospitals and other organisations when developing services for people with dementia.

"I would ask that people visit http://www.dementiarights.org/support-the-charter/ and help back this Charter."

ENDS