Dementia patients on Tyneside get £2m boost

Dementia patients in Sunderland, Gateshead and South Tyneside are to benefit from a new service costing more than £2m.

NHS South of Tyne and Wear is setting up a new "memory protection service" to try to get an earlier diagnosis and better treatment for sufferers.

The service will launch in April next year and will involve GPs, hospitals, mental health services and volunteers.

It will also support carers and help patients live more independently.

Wendy Kaiser, spokeswoman for NHS South of Tyne and Wear, said: "We are making a significant investment in a new memory protection service to offer improved care for people with dementia, their families and carers.

"The memory protection service will bring together health professionals involved in all aspects of dementia care to ensure the journey for patients, their carers and families is as smooth as possible."