“Put Dementia on the Agenda” Political Parties Urged

Dementia UK has delivered an open letter signed by more than 13,000 people to all major UK political party leaders demanding they put dementia on their agenda.

The charity is urging all parties and the next government to address the huge gaps in health and social care, which currently leave many people affected by dementia isolated and unsupported following a diagnosis.

Dementia UK recently published a manifesto – ‘Put dementia on the agenda’ which sets out four key focuses for the next government in terms of dementia care:

1. Fix the NHS continuing healthcare funding (CHC) process (the charity recently launched a campaign on this issue)
   • Dementia UK conducted research which found that only 5% of people surveyed who knew someone with a dementia diagnosis reported that this person had been successful in completing a full CHC assessment

2. Deliver expert and personalised support for people after a dementia diagnosis
   • Dementia UK conducted research which found that only a third (33%) of people who know or knew someone with a diagnosis of dementia received support from their GP, while only 25% received support from a consultant or hospital doctor and only 24% received support from social services

3. Improve diagnosis rates and age-appropriate support for people with young-onset dementia
   • It currently takes an average of 4.4 years for people under the age of 65 to get a dementia diagnosis

4. Increase access to specialist dementia nursing in hospitals
   • Only 2% of people believe that all hospital staff understand the needs of people with dementia, resulting in inadequate hospital care for those living with the condition

The manifesto includes clear recommendations to achieve the charity’s asks, including:

1. Person-centred information and specialist support for as long as they need it for everyone affected by dementia
2. A fully-funded dementia care pathway that connects and coordinates specialist care and support across all services
3. Access to specialist services from pre-diagnosis through to end-of-life care and bereavement

Dementia UK’s Head of Policy, Campaigns and Public Affairs Andrew Pike comments:
“Dementia is a huge and growing health crisis and during the first year of the new Government, the number of people living with dementia in the UK is expected to exceed one million. Despite numerous plans and strategies being announced over the years, we have seen little action on dementia, and families affected by dementia missing out on the specialist support that they need. With health and social care services more stretched than ever, it is essential that the next Government listens to the thousands of people who have signed this letter and act on improving dementia care immediately.”