We need a bold and ambitious plan for dementia

The government’s new plan, the Modern Service Framework for Dementia and Frailty, is a once-in-a-generation opportunity that could change the story on dementia. But only if it is bold and ambitious.

Jon Snow, former Channel 4 news anchor, publicly revealed that he’s living with Alzheimer’s disease and has joined with Alzheimer’s Society to call for change:

People living with dementia and their families have waited long enough for change. We must demand better for everyone affected.  

I would urge everyone to join me in signing Alzheimer’s Society’s open letter.

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,

Jon Snow, Alzheimer's Society Supporter
Dr Precious Lunga, Alzheimer's Society Supporter
Sir Jonathan Pryce, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador
Dame Meera Syal, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador
Suranne Jones, Alzheimer's Society Ambassador
Vicky McClure MBE, 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 Chauhan, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner
Jagdish Brar-Orgill, Alzheimer's Society Campaigner

Sign our open letter

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