Alzheimer Scotland today
launched their 2007 Dementia Manifesto, in which they call for an
additional £15m to tackle the growing ‘epidemic’ of dementia.
The ‘Let’s make dementia a
priority’ manifesto sets out seven priority areas, each with their own
costed targets. This includes: an additional £3m to be targeted towards
having dementia declare a national priority and increased funding for
services; £1m to fund early diagnosis and support; £3m to improve the
quality of dementia training; £2.75m to make dementia drug treatments
available on the NHS; £4m ring fenced funding for free personal care;
and £250,000 to help increase public understanding of dementia and
reduce stigma.
Jim Jackson, chief executive,
Alzheimer Scotland, said: “Dementia is the key health issue which will
face Scotland over the coming decades with our ageing population, and
it is vital that it is recognised as such and made a national priority.
“Today 1 in 90 Scots have
dementia, but in 2031 it will be 1 in 50. We need help for people with
dementia and their families now, we need a strategic plan for the
future, but most of all we need to act now, not when it will be too
late.”
Members of the Scottish Dementia
Working Group will present a copy of the manifesto to Health Minister
Andy Kerr at his constituency office this morning.
James McKillop, chairperson, Scottish Dementia Working Group, said:
"The Manifesto is based on the priorities identified by people with
dementia, carers, people who work in dementia care and others committed
to improving dementia care services.
“It is important not just to the
58,000 people in Scotland currently diagnosed with dementia, and their
families, but also to those who dementia will affect in future. We want
to pave the way for future generations, so that they will receive early
diagnoses and the appropriate services and support."
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