Do not screen for dementia

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Do not screen for dementia

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We the undersigned call on the government to reverse its decision to implement a ‘Dementia Case Finding Scheme.’

Although we welcome the government’s attention to dementia, we have grave concerns about the potential consequences of the announcement that doctors should ‘proactively’ ask at risk patients, including all those aged 75 and over, about their memory.

This amounts to screening. It will lead to over-treatment, anxiety and other harms to patients, and diversion of resources. Instead, the priority should be investment to improve access to diagnosis and support for patients and their families who are already seeking help.

While medication can help the symptoms of dementia, ‘no treatments are currently available to cure or even alter the progressive course of dementia.’ (WHO, 2012).

A fuller explanation, with references, can be found in our letter to the BMJ at http://www.bmj.com/content/344/bmj.e2347/rr/619428

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