Eight in 10 Britons desire for dementia to be a national healthcare priority, according to a new poll, with a majority indicating that the government is not adequately preparing for increasing dementia cases.
The survey of 1,000 individuals, conducted by Alzheimer's Society and shared with the Daily Mail, found that 81 percent of Britons want dementia to be prioritized in national healthcare. However, only 15 percent believe the government is taking sufficient steps to prepare for the rising number of individuals affected by the disease.
Furthermore, the poll suggests that more than half of voters (52 percent) would be more inclined to support a political party that commits to increased funding for dementia care and research. The Daily Mail and Alzheimer's Society have launched a joint campaign, 'Defeating Dementia,' aimed at raising awareness, promoting early diagnosis, advancing research, and improving care for those living with the condition. This campaign highlights that dementia is Britain's biggest killer, claiming 76,000 lives annually.
Michelle Dyson, chief executive of Alzheimer's Society, stated that successive governments have failed to make dementia the priority it needs to be. She emphasized that the recent polling sends a clear message to the new Prime Minister, who has publicly discussed his father's experience with Alzheimer's. Dyson noted that new treatments and diagnostic blood tests are becoming available, but decisive action is required to ensure widespread access.
"People expect action on dementia and need a leader who will deliver it," Dyson said. "We know that our new Prime Minister understands the reality of living with dementia and has made early commitments to making social care a priority. He must seize this moment and set out a bold and ambitious plan that will leave a lasting legacy for everyone affected by dementia."
Dyson has previously criticized the National Health Service for treating dementia patients as "second-class citizens" who are often sent home with minimal support. Alzheimer's Society has outlined five key requests for the Prime Minister, including establishing an 18-week target for diagnosis, appointing a dedicated dementia tsar, and developing a strategy for the rollout of new dementia drugs.
Andrea Yates, a constituent of the Prime Minister from Makerfield, shared her hope for improved care, noting her father Michael's diagnosis with dementia in 2023. "My dad Michael, who ran a joinery business in Makerfield for 45 years, was diagnosed with dementia in 2023," Yates said. "The new Prime Minister often talks about hope, and we're really hopeful that Andy Burnham will take this opportunity to change things for people affected by dementia."
A spokesperson for the Department of Health and Social Care affirmed the government's commitment to combating dementia, stating, "Dementia is a cruel disease that devastates lives. This government is investing record amounts in research, expanding participation in clinical trials and making the UK a leading place to develop and test the next generation of treatments. As part of our 10-Year Health Plan we will improve the quality and consistency of diagnosis, care and treatment across the NHS."