Health Minister addresses local Alzheimer’s Society branch

Andy Burnham welcomed the Alzheimer's Society Dementia UK report into the economic and social impact of dementia in the UK. He described the report as 'a sobering read for anyone'.

The Minister highlighted the pressing need for health and social services to work closer together to improve support and services for people with dementia. He said, 'I fully understand how difficult it is for people with dementia in terms of navigating the system and getting the level of support that they need. I am working nationally and locally to improve this.'

Burnham also said that carers' issues and the continuation of the Carers Grant beyond 2008, which provides funding for short breaks for carers, was a priority for him. He said, 'from my point of view I will make the strongest representations that it (the Carers Grant) should continue and to develop it'.

When challenged on whether the Department of Health should make dementia a clinical priority and develop a national strategy for dementia, he responded that there is 'a strong argument for that'.  The Alzheimer's Society will be making further representations to the Minister on the need for a cross government national dementia strategy.