AN East Lancashire-based care group has backed a reduction in the use of anti-psychotic medication used to treat people with dementia.

The Government has commissioned a national audit to establish the provision of dementia services across the country, and will provide NHS and social care organisations with a measure of their progress in key areas including a reduction in the use of anti-psychotic medication.

Ken Nolan, chairman of Springhill Care Group, Accrington, said: “We are progressing with our own programme in reducing the use of anti-psychotic medication, as well as supporting the Government initiative.”

The Alzheimer’s Society claims anti-psychotic drugs are inappropriately prescribed to an average of 144,000 people with dementia in the UK every year, doubling the risk of death, trebling the risk of stroke and sometimes leaving people unable to walk or talk.