LEICESTER: A new award for 'dementia champions' have been launched in an effort to raise awareness about the disease and its possible diagnosis. Doctors are hoping that this would reduce the stigma surrounding dementia in our community and encourage people to take early help from GPs regarding their memory.
Nominations for the award are open to GP practices, voluntary organisations and patient groups in the Rutland area. The deadline for entries is 31 January, 2016.
These awards are one of the measures being developed by the East Leicestershire and Rutland clinical commissioning group (CGC) which plans and pays for the local health services.
Dr Girish Purohit, a GP in Syston and CCG board member, told the Leicester Mercury: "The award is something I am really excited about.
"We really need to promote and raise awareness of dementia both as a diagnosis by clinicians and also among the public and our patients to reduce stigma of the diagnosis itself so that patients are more willing to come and their GP about it."
He added: "It is really important for patients and carer, when they suspect somebody has an issues with their memory, to see their GP early.
"They will be able to get all the information they need about dementia.
"It may also dispel many of the fears that people have about their memory because quite often a lot of memory issues may not be related to dementia.
"However, picking dementia up early means that patients get the help they need and that is really important."
A programme of "memory matters" days is also being offered. The Uppingham Surgery ran the first day in August when around 150 people including local organisations gathered to provide information and advice. Surgery doctors and nurses undertook health reviews and provided memory screening tests for people concerned about their memory.
