Dear Constituent,
Thank you for contacting me about dementia.
I was pleased to visit the Alzheimer’s Society’s stand at party conference this year, https://www.richardfuller.co.uk/news/richard-visits-alzheimers-society-stand-conservative-party-conference
I am aware that an estimated one million people will be living with dementia by 2025, and therefore research is crucial to understanding the condition and improving outcomes for those affected. I was proud to stand on a manifesto that committed to doubling dementia research funding and finding a cure for dementia.
I am greatly encouraged by the clinical trial results for Lecanemab, which is the first drug of its kind to demonstrate a reduction in the rate of decline in people's memory and thinking in clinical trials. These findings will bring hope to the many thousands of people affected by Dementia, and I look forward to further updates about the development of the drug.
Research conducted and funded by medical research charities is critical to discovering new treatments and interventions for diseases like Dementia, and I congratulate Alzheimer's Research for the work that has led to these findings.
Due to the impact of the pandemic, the estimated dementia diagnosis rate fell below the national target for the first time since 2016.
While the rate has recovered slightly since the early part of the pandemic, there is more to do if we are to reach the national target for two thirds of people with dementia to be formally diagnosed.
Last year, £17 million was made available to Clinical Commissioning Groups to address dementia waiting lists and increase the number of diagnoses, which I hope will have an impact in our local area.
In memory of the late Dame Barbara Windsor, the Government launched a new mission in August 2022 to put this into practice. Research funding for dementia will rise to a total of £160 million a year by 2024, with an additional £95 million being provided to increase clinical trials and research projects, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/prime-minister-launches-dame-barbara-windsor-dementia-mission--2
I am pleased that Conservative Prime Ministers from David Cameron onwards have given great priority to increasing dementia research funding, and will continue to deliver on this manifesto commitment.
A new taskforce – made up of industry, the NHS, academia and families affected by dementia – will help lead this work to allocate funding. You may wish to register your interest to take part through the Join Dementia Research website here: https://www.joindementiaresearch.nihr.ac.uk/
As you have said, this mission complements the Government’s commitment to publish the 10-Year Plan for Dementia. The 10-Year Plan will include plans to increase research funding for dementia and deliver a moonshot. It will focus on the specific health needs of people with dementia and their carers covering prevention, diagnosis and research. It will also look at how new technology can be used to improve outcomes for dementia patients across the country. I look forward to studying the detail of the plan when it is published, https://www.gov.uk/government/news/health-secretary-announces-10-year-plan-for-dementia
Thank you again for taking the time to contact me.
Sincerely,
