The NHS Institute for Innovation and Improvement and the Dementia Action Alliance have launched a call to action to work together to improve the quality of life of people with dementia and their carers by reducing the inappropriate use of antipsychotics for these people.

• Download The Right Prescription: a call to action on the use of antipsychotic drugs for people with dementia

A specific commitment has been developed for eights groups to enable everyone to play their part to achieve the overall goal.

• People with dementia and their carers& voluntary sector and advocacy groups (local and national)
• Leaders of care homes
• General Practitioners and primary care teams
• Psychiatrists and mental health teams
• Pharmacists
• Hospital doctors and multidisciplinary teams
• Commissioners of health and social care services
• Medical and nursing directors of acute and foundation trusts

Useful resources

• Summary of the commitments
• Commitment drivers
• Mason. J. (2011) Time to reduce improper use of antipsychotics in people with dementia The Pharmaceutical Journal 2011; 286:719
• The Alzheimer’s Society is creating a best practice guidance which is currently available for consultation for interested parties to review and comment on.