Description

By the time this edition of the journal reaches you I hope that we will have seen the official launch of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) for England. Whilst this is an initiative of the Department of Health, England, I am sure that the needs of dementia sufferers in all countries will be the same and so this document will resonate with all involved in dementia care, no matter what nationality. Some have criticised the NDS for not naming specifi c dementias. However, the purpose of the NDS is to identify the needs of all dementia sufferers irrespective of the aetiology and as such should be warmly received. Let us all do our utmost to ensure dementia is recognised and appropriately managed and that dementia sufferers and their carers are neither stigmatised nor denied access to appropriate care simply because of their dementia. Equally, we must recognise the end of life needs of dementia sufferers and afford them the same dignity in death as those who do not have dementia.

This edition also sees the demise of the British Geriatrics Society Specially Commissioned article. This is because I believe that the journal has reached a level of consistency such that all articles should be recognised as of equal merit. A statement which leads me to remind you that the BGS has been seeking your views as to the value of the journal to your CME needs. I very much hope that BGS members are fi nding the articles in each volume of the journal valuable and will vote to retain the journal as part of their BGS subscription.

Finally, summer was something of a washout only saved by our excellent showing in the medals table in Beijing. I hope that winter is kinder and that you all have a very pleasant Christmas (an odd thing to be writing in September!)

Duncan Forsyth
Editor