01.08.18
Charities accuse Hancock of ‘ignoring’ dementia
Leading dementia charities have written of their “deep concern” of new health secretary Matt Hancock’s lack of attention on dementia leading up to the announcement of the NHS’s 10-year plan.
In a letter shared with NHE, top bosses from the charities called on the health department to account for dementia as “the greatest health challenge of our time,” noting that the government must increase funding for dementia research to widen the search for effective treatments and delivery.
“Dementia presents the greatest health challenge of our time, but we can act today to change this,” the letter wrote.
Composed by chief executive of Alzheimer’s Research UK, Hilary Evans; Jim Pearson, director of policy at Alzheimer Scotland; and chief admiral nurse and chief executive of Dementia UK, Dr Hilda Hayo, the letter highlighted a recent poll showing how UK adults believe dementia is one of the top three health conditions the NHS should focus on over the next 10 years.
“Government must increase funding for dementia research to widen the search for effective treatments and plan for their swift delivery,” it continued.
“We must improve early detection and accurate diagnosis, and provide greater support following diagnosis to better the lives of families living with the condition today. We must see government-led public health campaigns to increase awareness of dementia and how people can reduce their risk.”
Whilst support for areas such as cancer and respiratory and circulatory diseases has resulted in lower mortality rates, support for dementia “lags behind.” Dementia death rates increased to 13% in the UK in the last year alone, with access to social care support remaining “woefully inadequate,” the letter added.
Theresa May’s commitment to the publishing of a 10-year plan, announced in July, must be named as a top priority in an effort to “end the inequity” those with dementia face, according to the charity bosses.
The letter added: “We request dementia care is made a top priority in the social care green paper due in the autumn. With the ageing society in the UK and the huge burden this will place on the care system, it is imperative provisions are made so that people with dementia and their carers get the support they need and can live well with dignity.”
Dementia costs the UK economy over £26bn annually – more than cancer and heart disease combined.
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Image credit: Kirsty O'Connor, PA Images