Julian commits to action on Altzheimer’s diagnosis
May 20, 2023
As part of Dementia Action Week 2023 (15-21 May), Julian attended a Parliamentary reception hosted by Alzheimer’s Society where he learned that the dementia diagnosis rate in York Outer is 55.2%.
The main objective of this event was to raise awareness of the importance of quality diagnosis for people living with dementia and how getting the right diagnosis can help support those with dementia and ensure that they can live as full life as they can.
Dementia diagnosis rates vary considerably across the country from just 42% in South Hams to 82.9% in Stoke-on-Trent. The national ambition for dementia diagnosis is that two-thirds of people with dementia should have a formal diagnosis.
Dementia is a horrible disease that is painful for both those living with it and the loved ones around them. An estimated one million people will be living with dementia by 2025, so it is arguably more important than ever to invest in research as that is the key to gaining a greater understanding of the condition and improving the outcomes for all those affected.
Julian states that he was “incredibly proud to have stood on a manifesto in 2019 that committed to doubling dementia research funding and finding a cure for dementia and firm in the belief that we must invest the time, money and effort into research and early diagnosis in order to ensure the well-being and maximum quality of life for those living with dementia”.
Despite all the good work being done, such as the Government launching a new mission in August 2022 to improve research investment in memory of the late Dame Barbara Windsor and the fact that research funding for dementia will rise to a total of £160 million a year by 2024, with an additional £95 million being provided to increase clinical trials and research projects, there is still much to be done.
The Government has announced that it intends to develop and publish a Major Conditions Strategy which aims to set out a comprehensive policy agenda to shift towards integrated whole-person care. The interventions set out in the Strategy will aim to alleviate pressure on the health system, as well as support the Government’s objective to increase healthy life expectancy and reduce ill-health related labour market inactivity. Dementia is one of the six major conditions included in the Strategy. Additionally, a new taskforce made up of industry, including the NHS, academics and families who are affected by dementia will aim to lead the work in relation to funding allocation.
Julian encourages all constituents to register their interest to take part through the Join Dementia Research website here: https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/
Following the event Julian commented,
“I have long believed that we must increase the emphasis on the importance of increased investment in research and early diagnosis in relation to dementia. Dementia is a horrible disease that so significantly impacts the lives of those living with dementia and those around them therefore we must work towards ensuring that everyone with dementia deserves efficient and effective diagnosis. In York Outer we have a dementia diagnosis rate of 55.2% which sadly is below Alzheimer Society’s national ambition of 66.7%. It is clear more work must be done and I will continue to monitor developments and submit Written Questions to the relevant Ministers”
