Dementia care: Northern Ireland

The Northern Ireland (NI) Dementia Strategy was launched in November 2011, with similar strategic issues and priorities to those identified in the English, Welsh, and Scottish documents. There are a number of aspects of dementia care in NI of which the province can be proud, several of which are outlined. One of the major achievements has been the successful production of the Mental Capacity Act, which awaits implementation and publication of a code of practice for clinicians. Other challenges include the coordination of care for people with dementia across the healthcare spectrum and the anticipation and incorporation into practice of evolving diagnostic and therapeutic interventions.