NICE has published its first two social care quality standards - on dementia care and the health and wellbeing of looked-after children and young people. They are now open for consultation.
Social care is a new area of responsibility for NICE following the passage of the Health and Social Care Act earlier this year.
The consultations are aimed at a range of groups including national patient and carer organisations, healthcare professionals, commissioners of health services and the public.
Research shows that more than one-third of people with dementia said they only sometimes receive the support they need, with many also requesting that services are better designed around their needs.
To help improve the care of people with dementia, the draft quality standard features a number of statements outlining high quality care.