MPs and peers join forces to propel dementia to the top of the political agenda
Published 13 November 2007
MPs and peers who have joined an All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia will meet for the first time on 18 June and call for the condition to be made a national health and social care priority.
All-Party Groups are made up of MPs and members of the House of Lords who share an interest in a particular subject. Over 60 MPs and Peers have joined the All-Party Group on Dementia. Its stated purpose is 'to build support for dementia to be a publicly stated health and social care priority in order to meet one of the greatest challenges presented by our ageing population'.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, says,
'I am delighted so many MPs and peers have added their weight behind the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia to help make this devastating, incurable condition a political priority. We cannot afford to ignore the challenge of dementia, but planning now and developing a national dementia strategy will save lives and money in the future.'
Leading members of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia include Jeremy Wright, MP for Rugby and Kenilworth.
Jeremy Wright MP, says,
'Dementia is one of the biggest health and social care challenges the UK faces, but more needs to be done to highlight its significance. Our vision for the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia is to provide a force for driving the condition up the political agenda. It will be run in partnership with the Alzheimer's Society.'
The first meeting of the All-Party Group on Dementia will be followed by a reception to unveil the Alzheimer's Society's better quality care campaign. People with dementia and their carers will help launch the Alzheimer's Society's report Social Care: A Lifeline For People with Dementia and their Carers in front of special guests including actress Lynda Bellingham.
The report highlights the massive difference high quality social care services, such as support with washing and eating, make to people with dementia and their carers. Access to a these care services contributes to the independence and dignity of people with dementia as well as supporting their carers. The Alzheimer's Society also identified challenges for the future. These include ensuring services are always tailored to individual needs and access to dementia-specific training for care staff.
