DEMENTIA DEATHS DOUBLE IN DECADE
It’s cause of 1 in 10 deaths in Scotland Call for more community care funding
DEMENTIA deaths have doubled in Scotland in a decade, according to official figures.
Conditions such as Alzheimer’s account for one in 10 of all deaths, the snapshot for the last three months of 2017 showed.
The proportion was one in 20 a decade ago.
The statistics from the Scottish Government also reflect dramatic increases compared to the same time in 2016, with deaths from dementia growing by 12.3 per cent to 1131.
The increase yesterday prompted calls for better funding for community care and GPs.
The Scottish Government are also under pressure to get on with plans to bring in free personal care for dementia sufferers under 65 years old.
Known as Frank’s Law, after ex- Dundee Utd player Frank Kopel, the plan has cross-party support and has been agreed by the SNP.
Tory health spokesman Miles Briggs said: “The significant rise in deaths from dementia shows our NHS faces unprecedented challenges in acute and community care.
“However, the SNP have repeatedly underfunded primary care, reduced bed numbers and presided over a massive workforce crisis.
“They must invest now in workforce, bed numbers, information technology and particularly GPs, who have to deal with the sharp end of these demographic shifts.
“For those who are under 65 and suffering from dementia it is vital that Frank’s Law is implemented and personal care is free to all who need it.”
Lib Dem health spokesman Alex ColeHamilton said: “It’s disappointing to see the number of deaths from dementia on the rise.
“Scottish Lib Dems were instrumental in introducing free personal care for the elderly and we recognise it is absolutely essential that action is taken to ensure people with degenerative illnesses have access to the personal care and support they need.”
In total, 15,198 people in Scotland died in the fourth quarter last year – the highest figure for that time of year since 2003.
Over the same time, heart disease deaths rose by 1.3 per cent to 1754 and cancer killed 4242 people, an increase of 5.9 per cent.