UK dementia care: Watchdog finds 'staggering' 90% of British care homes and hospitals provide poor care for Alzheimer's sufferers

Nine out of 10 hospitals and care homes were found to have aspects of variable or poor care for those with Alzheimer’s and related conditions

People with dementia are likely to receive poor care because of unacceptable gaps in quality, a major review by an NHS watchdog has found (Will Oliver/AFP/Getty Images)

People with dementia are likely to receive poor care because of unacceptable gaps in quality, a major review by an NHS watchdog has found.

Nine out of 10 hospitals and care homes were found to have aspects of variable or poor care for those with Alzheimer’s and related conditions, according to an investigation by the Care Quality Commission (CQC).

Dementia care was inspected in 129 care homes and 20 hospitals across England by the CQC, which found serious gaps in provision.

Jeremy Hughes, chief executive at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “With a staggering 90 per cent of the care homes and hospitals inspected found to have aspects of variable or poor care, this report highlights the plight that many people with dementia face.

“Carers have told us that their loved ones have gone for hours without food or water in hospital or that they were in pain but no one realised.” he added.

Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt said: “There can be no excuse, and no hiding place, for poor care within our NHS.”