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Harman agrees to debate on dementia strategy

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Date published: 
Friday, March 6, 2009
News source: 
Alzheimer’s Research Trust
Region: 
United Kingdom
Featured item on home page: 
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The government today acceded to pressure from MPs, the Alzheimer’s Research Trust and others to hold a debate on the National Dementia Strategy.

Following a question from Liberal Democrat MP Greg Mulholland, Harriet Harman, the Leader of the House, agreed to a Westminster Hall debate on the government’s dementia strategy.
 
As Greg Mulholland noted during a House of Commons debate today, the strategy was previously only announced “through the media”, and a short written statement to the House from the Health Secretary.
 
Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“It is about time the government allowed proper parliamentary scrutiny of its dementia strategy, and we welcome Harriet Harman’s move. Dementia affects 700,000 people in the UK, costing our economy £17 billion a year. The stakes are too high to get this wrong.
 
“The National Dementia Strategy failed to include any new pledge on dementia research, which receives just 2.5% of the medical research budget. If research results in a five year delay in the development of Alzheimer’s, we could halve the number of people who die with the disease.”
 
Commenting on the National Dementia Strategy, which was published in February, Greg Mulholland MP, Liberal Democrat shadow health minister, said:
"This long overdue strategy is a fundamentally missed opportunity. No increase in research funding means we will remain no closer to understanding dementia or addressing the devastating impact that it has on the thousands of people and their families.”
 
The Conservatives also criticised the strategy in February. Shadow health minister Stephen O’Brien said:
“We welcome the Government's announcement, but sadly this is too little too late from a Government which has dithered over taking action on dementia for 11 years. Unfortunately Labour's approach is still too piecemeal and their strategy fails to address key issues such as the continuing scandal of patients being inappropriately prescribed 'chemical cosh' drugs and the need to ensure that funding for Alzheimer's research is given greater priority in the NHS research budget."
 
Sir Terry Pratchett, Patron of the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, said:
“Is there going to be a government of any stripe in willing to put its money where its mouth is and fund changes? Or will dementia remain the most feared disease of the over 55s?”

 

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