Visit highlights dementia signs
HALTON’S MP offered his support to a campaign raising awareness of the symptoms of dementia and encouraged people to take part in clinical trials.
Derek Twigg visited Rowlands Pharmacy on Farnworth Street in Widnes to back an initiative.
The campaign is a partnership involving Join Dementia UK, Alzheimer’s Research UK and Rowlands Pharmacy and ran run throughout February.
Members of the public were encouraged to visit a Rowlands Pharmacy branch to find out more about the symptoms of dementia and the important role they themselves could play in research studies.
There are more than 90 pioneering research studies looking for volunteers across the UK right now.
Mr Twigg said: “This year dementia overtook heart disease as the leading cause of death in the UK.
“With no effective treatments to slow or stop the diseases that cause dementia, we expect one million people in the UK to have the condition by 2025. We can all play a part and many people know friends or relatives with dementia.
“I would encourage people to visit their Rowlands Pharmacy, find out more a consider becoming a volunteer in one of the research studies. “Together we can beat dementia”. In addition to free information provided by Alzheimer’s Research UK, Rowlands staff have been specially trained to offer advice, information and support on dementia and the risk factors for the condition. Residents can sign up to Join Dementia Research via registration forms available in all Rowlands Pharmacies during the month-long campaign.
Professor Martin Rossor, NIHR national director for Dementia Research, said: “Dementia affects 850,000 people in the UK and sadly there are no treatments available today that can slow or stop the diseases like Alzheimer’s, that is the commonest. ●
“Research is making progress in tackling these diseases but we need more people to get involved in studies in their area to help researchers make faster progress.
“We urgently need people with dementia to sign up, but those without a diagnosis can also sign up and get involved in important studies.
“I am very pleased that opportunities to sign up to Join Dementia Research locally in Rowlands pharmacies are being provided.”
Chris Bolger, a dispenser at the Widnes branch, added: “Rowlands Pharmacy is your community health hub and is ideally placed for this kind of campaign.
“Our role is more than simply dispensing medicine.
“We are at the front line of providing the healthcare advice and support which people need.
“We take great pride in that role and caring for our patients is at the heart of what we do.”
Signing up to the service is also possible at www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk or via Alzheimer’s Research UK’s information on 0300 111 5 111.