All-Party Parliamentary Group On Dementia (APPG) Highlights Urgent Need For New Long Term National Dementia Strategy

Members of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia (APPG) have joined Alzheimer’s Society to call for an urgently needed long-term national plan for dementia. Five years on from the launch of the first ever National Dementia Strategy, a new report from the All-Party Parliamentary Group (APPG) on dementia, launched today (Wednesday 18 June 2014), assesses progress made in three key areas of health and social care and calls for strong local leadership in executing plans, more integrated services and involvement of people with dementia in commissioning services.

‘Building on the National Dementia Strategy: Change, progress and priorities’ explores work done to improve diagnosis and post diagnosis support, commissioning of services and ensuring a skilled dementia workforce. The APPG outlines what priorities need to be set for the future, making a series of recommendations:

• Every CCG and local authority should appoint a Dementia Lead to ensure high-quality integrated services

• Commissioning of local services should be evidence based, involving people with dementia, encouraging cooperation between health and social care and other service providers

• A culture shift in both the public and professionals’ view of the dementia workforce, ensuring it is an attractive and fulfilling career choice

The APPG report on dementia is released in the same week as the first legacy G7 event on dementia takes place, encouraging investment in dementia research and global collaboration to find a disease-modifier or cure for dementia.

Baroness Sally Greengross Chair of the APPG on Dementia, said:

‘We have seen improvements for people with dementia since the publication of the first National Dementia Strategy. However, the APPG on Dementia’s work clearly demonstrates the need for government to build on this success and commit to a long-term successor to the National Dementia Strategy and Prime Minister’s Challenge. Our recommendations suggest some areas that a new strategy should focus on. We hope the government will consider them carefully and take appropriate action.’

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive at Alzheimer’s Society said:

‘It is great to see MPs from all political parties recognising the need for a long term plan for dementia. The spotlight on dementia has never been greater, but we can’t afford to rest on our laurels. Everyday more people are diagnosed with this condition, and they need to feel confident that the current momentum behind dementia won’t fade, and that they’ll get access to vital support and help living with the condition.’

For more information about the inquiry and to read the findings in full, visit here www.alzheimers.org.uk\appg2014