Always a Last Resort

Inquiry into the prescription of Antipsychotic drugs to people with

Dementia living in care homes

November 2009: National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy Dementia Faculty

In February 2008, Dr Daniel Nightingale, the Head of the National College of Hypnosis and Psychotherapy Dementia Faculty was one of the Consultants involved in a 2 day inquiry at Westminster looking at the use of antipsychotic medicines in people living with dementia and who reside in a care home.

The evidence that these drugs were being used inappropriately, and very often off licence, alarmed everyone involved in the inquiry.

The All Party Political Group on Dementia that ran the inquiry was led by Jeremy Wright, MP, and other professional professional witnesses included Dr Graham Stokes and Professor Clive Ballard. Relatives, carers and care home providers also gave evidence over the 2 days.

The report was released in April 2008 and Southern Cross Healthcare, the largest provider of residential and nursing homes in the UK, immediately implemented Always a Last Resort throughout its services.

Dr Nightingale welcomes Professor Sube Banerjee’s report – The use of antipsychotic medication for people with dementia: Time for action which he was asked to do by the Minister of State. 

The fundamental principles of the report focus on making use of all other approaches and interventions to help people during the challenging aspects of the journey through dementia.

“Training and development, continual professional development, further training for GP’s and other clinicians and the use of psycho-social interventions are areas in which we are now moving in order to be more person centred and non-aversive” comments Dr Nightingale

He goes on to say “However, it must be remembered that there is sometimes a need for medicines, but we now encourage the title of the inquiry – Always a Last Resort.”

The National College has been providing training in Hypno-Psychotherapy since 1977 and has been providing specialist training in the use of Hypno-Psychotherapy in dementia care since 2007. For further information contact the College at This e-mail address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it or telephone 0845 2578735