The government have announced their intention to publish a 10-year plan to tackle dementia and boost the £375m already committed to researching neurodegenerative diseases.
Speaking at Alzheimer’s Society Conference 2022, Health and Social Care Secretary, Sajid Javid confirmed the plan will focus on how new medicines and innovative science and technology can be harnessed to improve health outcomes for dementia patients.
The record NHS funding will help reduce the Covid backlog of dementia, with 30,000 patients still facing delays.
900,000 people are believed to be living with dementia in the UK at the moment, with that figure expected to reach one million by 2025 and 1.6 million by 2040.
Sajid Javid commented: “It’s estimated that as much as 40 percent of dementia is potentially preventable. 40 percent. We now know that what’s good for the heart is also good for the brain. Action on high blood pressure, physical inactivity, alcohol, obesity and healthy eating all have a part to play.
“So we’re going to be very ambitious on prevention, because I don’t accept that dementia is an inevitable part of ageing. It isn’t. We’re going to be equally ambitious on research.
“We’ve already committed £375 million into research on neurodegenerative diseases over the next five years – and I’ll work across government to boost this further.”
This new plan in the latest measure in the bid to tackle dementia with the government having already announced:
- The government’s social care charging reforms with more generous means testing and a lifetime cap on care costs.
- The integration white paper to better link health and social care systems.
- The Health and Care Act which will put the person at the centre of care with local systems designed to deliver seamless care and support people in retaining their independence, health and wellbeing.
- Levelling up healthcare and reducing disparities across the country so everyone has the chance to live longer and healthier lives wherever they come from and regardless of their background.
More information about the new 10-year plan is available here.
