Too many care homes using ‘chemical coshes’ to keep dementia patients quiet, finds study

“CHEMICAL coshes” are still used excessively on dementia patients in care homes, a study revealed.

Campaigners are furious that safer drugs have not replaced the controversial antipsychotics.

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The Government ordered a review into their use in 2009 after side-effects such as strokes were discovered.

But analysis of 600 UK care homes by five universities found no significant fall from 2009 to 2012.

Homes in deprived areas prescribed the most while treatment was “excessive” in 77 per cent of cases.

Researchers also found no significant shift towards safer drugs such as risperidone.

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Health Secretary Jeremy Hunt previously accused care assistants of using strong antipsychotics just so they can “get a good night’s sleep”.

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George McNamara of the Alzheimer’s Society said the study was “deeply worrying”, adding: “It’s shocking the evidence continues to be flatly ignored.”

Prof Clive Bowman, from City, University of London, called their continued use “unacceptable” and demanded clearer rules.