DESLatest figures about the uptake of different Directed Enhanced Services (DES) show that the dementia DES is the most popular of the new services GPs can provide.

Nearly 60% of GPs have now signed up to taking a more proactive approach to diagnosing people living with dementia.

Earlier this year changes were proposed by NHS England which encouraged GPs to take a more proactive approach to finding people in their areas who had dementia. They were invited to provide a DES for dementia, which meant taking the time to identify patients at high risk of developing the condition.

Proactive diagnosis of dementia  
George McNamara, head of public affairs and policy for the Alzheimer's Society, welcomed the figures: "It's really pleasing to see that over half of GP practices are keen to take a proactive approach to diagnosing dementia,” he said. “Over half of people living with dementia never receive a diagnosis, missing out on vital treatments and support. We hope that this uptake will give more people living with the condition a chance to receive a diagnosis.

"With an extension having been granted to some for signing up to DES, we hope other practices will take on the new service, so proactively diagnosing dementia can become commonplace."

Extension to DES signup
The figures, published in the magazine Pulse, from two local area teams come as GPs in some parts of England have been granted an extension to sign up to the four new DES schemes, in some cases until September.

In feedback from 700 GP practices, it was found that that 45% have yet to sign up for the remote monitoring DES, and 44% for the online access DES.

For more information please visit: www.nhsemployers.org/PayAndContracts/GeneralMedicalServicesContract/DirectedEnhancedServices/Pages/EnhancedServices.aspx