We need a bold and ambitious plan for dementia

Grandmother and grandchild hugging in kitchen

For too long, people living with dementia, and their families and carers, have not been prioritised. Diagnosis takes too long if it comes at all, support is overstretched and the most transformative treatments remain out of reach.

The government is currently working on a new plan for dementia - the ‘Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty’ for the NHS in England. This is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to influence the story of dementia, now and for years to come.

We’re calling on government to ensure they deliver a bold and ambitious plan that:

sets an ambitious goal to reduce the number of people that die from dementia
ensures everyone can access an early and accurate diagnosis
supports the delivery of high-quality dementia training for the social care workforce
prepares the NHS to deliver new treatments, as they become available

Join us in demanding better for everyone affected by dementia.

Read the open letter in full here

Dear Secretary of State,

Dementia is the UK’s biggest killer, yet, unlike other conditions, we have no targets in place to reduce the number of people dying from dementia.

Diagnosis remains painfully slow, support is overstretched, and the most transformative treatments remain out of reach.

This is simply not good enough.

We are - unapologetically - demanding better for everyone affected by dementia.

And, right now, you have the chance to change the story on dementia. A chance to improve the lives of those living with this devastating condition, and the lives of the countless friends and family members impacted.

The Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to build a future where dementia no longer devastates lives. A future where people can keep doing the things they love, for longer. A future where fewer people die from dementia.

But this can only be achieved if the plan is bold and ambitious.

The Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty must:

set an ambitious goal to reduce the number of people that die from dementia

ensure robust plans are in place to deliver disease modifying treatments, as they become available

support the delivery of high-quality dementia training for the social care workforce

ensure everyone can access an early and accurate diagnosis

We’ve seen the ambition around other conditions; we’ve seen the delivery of the National Cancer Plan. It’s now time to think differently about dementia, too.

You must grasp this once-in-a-generation opportunity to change the story for those living with dementia and their loved ones.

Yours,

Sir Jonathan Pryce, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador
Tricia Forrest-Morley, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner
Morcea, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner
Philip Angrave, Living with a diagnosis of dementia
Paul Harvey, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner
Ruth, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner

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