Alzheimer’s to be priority, vows MP
HEYWOOD and Middleton MP Chris Clarkson visited the Alzheimer’s Society at Conservative Party Conference and pledged to make dementia a priority.
Mr Clarkson, whose constituency also includes Castleton, Norden and Bamford, met members to learn about the urgent need to make dementia a political priority.
This year, Alzheimer’s Society’s conference stand emphasised the striking fact that dementia is the UK’S biggest killer as one in three people born in the UK today will develop dementia in their lifetime.
Alzheimer’s Society also highlighted how dementia costs the UK £34.7bn a year, a figure that will rise to £94.1bn by 2040.
By this same year, 1.6m people are expected to be living with dementia in the UK.
Right now, however, more than a third of people with dementia in England
and Northern Ireland don’t have access to a diagnosis and the vital care and support it unlocks while in Wales around half of people with dementia are without a diagnosis.
Mr Clarkson discussed with Alzheimer’s Society representatives how this, along with historic underfunding of dementia research and an urgent need for social care reform, makes clear the case for prioritising dementia.
With exciting new treatments for Alzheimer’s disease in the pipeline, Chris also heard how it is vital action is taken now to ensure people living with dementia can access these drugs as soon as they reach the UK market.
He said: “I had excellent conversations with the Alzheimer’s Society this party conference season about their work.
“I pledge to take action to make dementia the political priority it needs to be.
“If you are worried that you or a loved one may have dementia, you should contact Alzheimer’s Society for advice and support.”
James White, Head of
National Influencing at Alzheimer’s Society, said: “We thank Chris Clarkson MP for engaging with us at Conference, and pledging to support us to make dementia a priority.
“With one in three people born in the UK today expected to develop dementia in their lifetime, it’s vital that politicians prioritise tackling this disease. This means driving up diagnosis rates, reforming the social care system and bolstering dementia research to provide
help and hope for everyone affected by dementia.”
Support and more information about a diagnosis is just a phone call or a click away.
Visit alzheimers.org.uk/ memoryloss or call Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456 [0330 094 7400 Welsh-speaking number]. For callers who do not have English as their language of choice, Alzheimer’s Society can arrange a simultaneous language translation service.