THE wife of a dementia sufferer has criticised the lack of services for younger patients in County Durham.

Carole Woodcock, 50, from Darlington, made her comments at a recent conference on younger people with dementia, held in the town.

Mrs Woodcock, whose husband, Ian, was recently admitted to a care home with advanced Alzheimer's Disease after developing it in his late 50s, told health and voluntary sector workers: "Nothing happened after Ian was diagnosed, we were just left to get on with it."

The lack of care and support for younger people with dementia in the region was highlighted by Dr Don Brechin, a consultant neuro-psychologist who runs the Young Onset Dementia Team, in Middlesbrough.

Dr Brechin, who is in contact with 130 patients on Teesside, said the main population centres such as Newcastle and Gateshead had similar teams, but there was very little in between. Yorkshire was also poorly served, he added. He stressed the advantages of trying to support people with dementia in their own homes.

"Community-based care will cost £8,000 a year compared to long-term care in a residential home, which can cost £32,000 per annum," Dr Brechin said.

Research suggested large numbers of younger dementia sufferers in County Durham and Darlington were not known to health and social services, he said.

Colin Cosgrove, information officer for younger people with dementia with the Alzheimer's Society, said the national provision of specialist services for younger people was absolutely appalling.

Peter Barron, editor of The Northern Echo, who introduced the speakers at the conference, organised by the Darlington and district branch of the Alzheimer's Society, said: "It is clear there is a problem with inconsistency of service. There is a need for people to know where to turn for help and support."

Brian Key, executive director for performance and modernisation at Durham and Chester-le-Street Primary Care Trust, said there were no similar young onset teams in County Durham.

However, he said: "We are highly supportive and appreciative of Alzheimer's societies locally which operate a day service and outreach service."

Julie Oliver, of the County Durham and Darlington Priority Services NHS Trust, said: "We provide a range of services for people with mental health problems, but that doesn't currently include early onset dementia. However, anyone who is referred to us with early onset Alzheimer's will be seen by a consultant psychologist."