Vale of Clwyd MP Dr James Davies has highlighted the need for improvements in dementia care to ensure the thousands of people living with the cruel condition see tangible change now.
Speaking at the fringe event ‘Not Just An Age Thing: How do we level up dementia care?’ at the recent Conservative Party Conference in Birmingham, James, as Vice Chair of the Dementia APPG (All Party Parliamentary Group), stressed that the postcode lottery which currently exists in dementia care must be addressed.
He also referred to the effect the pandemic has had on dementia diagnosis and care post diagnosis, and emphasised the need for better treatment.
James, who is a Dementia Research Champion and has been supporting Alzheimer’s Research UK to encourage more people with and without dementia to register to take part in clinical trials across the nation, and ultimately find life-changing treatments sooner, also spoke about the importance of clinical trials at the event.
He further emphasised the need for action to increase the number of people with dementia who receive an accurate and timely diagnosis when attending a Parliamentary event last week.
Organised for the Front of Mind campaign, a joint initiative between Roche UK and tide (together in dementia everyday), the event saw MPs discuss findings of a new report, ‘Levelling up dementia diagnosis’, which found that 43% of people with dementia remain undiagnosed. The report by Future Health, also reaffirmed the postcode lottery for diagnosis, showing that rates vary markedly across the country from 83% to 47%, while people in rural areas and those from ethnic minorities face particular barriers to accessing services they need.
Commenting after both events, James said:
“As a GP and former clinical champion for dementia, I recognise that providing a diagnosis to individuals is pivotal to helping to ensure that they receive the necessary support. Early diagnosis is also critical when it comes to ensuring a sufficient cohort for clinical trials.
“Receiving a diagnosis should not be dependent on where you live. This postcode lottery in dementia diagnosis and care must be addressed.”
He added:
“With diagnosis rates currently at a five-year low after the pandemic, it is feared there are tens of thousands of people now living with undiagnosed dementia.
"Without a confirmed, accurate diagnosis of dementia, people will struggle to access medical and social interventions that could ease their symptoms and support their unpaid carers. The Government’s proposed dementia strategy offers an opportunity to set out the steps that can be taken to tackle the unfair variations that exist across the country in the diagnosis pathway.
“Recent research from Alzheimer’s Society shows some people don’t seek a dementia diagnosis because they think memory loss is just part of getting old, fail to recognise the signs of dementia, or are in denial about their symptoms, or may also face delays once they have tried to find help. Though the thought of diagnosis can be daunting, over 9 in 10 people with dementia say they benefitted from getting a diagnosis, for example by helping them come to terms with it or plan for the future.
“There are an estimated 1,188 people in the Vale of Clwyd living with dementia. As we look beyond the pandemic, which has had such a knock-on effect for those with the condition, as I have previously said in Parliament, I hope Ministers will work to re-energise the fight against dementia in our best efforts to support the estimated 1.6 million people who will live with the disease by 2040.
“Having the opportunity to discuss dementia diagnosis and care with experts in the field at the fringe event and parliamentary event was extremely beneficial, and I will report back to Health Ministers the principal points they made.”
Support and more information about a diagnosis of dementia is just a phone call or a click away. Visit alzheimers.org.uk/memoryloss or call Alzheimer’s Society on 0333 150 3456 (0330 094 7400 Welsh-speaking number).
