19 January 2023 , 00:01
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Dame Arlene Phillips and Vicky McClure today call on the Government to fulfil its promises on dementia.
The stars will deliver an open letter signed by more than 36,000 members of the public to Rishi Sunak.
The letter, launched by Alzheimer’s Society, urges the Government to deliver on its commitments to drive up dementia research, diagnosis rates and improve care.
The charity says it is concerned promises are "falling by the wayside" after the Government said the delivery of its ten-year plan on dementia was "in due course" 25 times.
There are currently around 900,000 people with dementia in the UK.
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This is projected to rise to 1.6 million people by 2040, according to a report commissioned by Alzheimer’s Society.
Research suggests people are waiting up to two years to get a diagnosis.
The charity warns the breakthrough drug Lecanemab, which was shown to slow cognitive decline, “will mean little” if diagnoses remain slow and inaccurate.
Three in five people affected by dementia struggled to get social care in the past year, the charity also said.
Half of family carers revealed they ended up in crisis, such as rushing their loved one to A&E due to lack of support.
The Government has committed to reform the social care system and double spending on dementia research by 2024.
Former Strictly judge Dame Arlene said: “Sadly, like thousands of families up and down the country, I’ve seen the toll dementia can take, while caring for my own father.
“This letter is loud and clear – deliver on these commitments and give people affected by dementia in this country the care and support they deserve.”
Line of Duty actress Ms McClure said: “Government is failing people with dementia. I’ve seen this first-hand with members of my Our Dementia Choir who are left struggling and alone after a diagnosis, unsure where to get the support they so desperately need.
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“Social care workers that they depend on are often utterly broken and exhausted, trying to provide care while being overstretched, under-paid, and under-trained by a deep workforce crisis.”
Kate Lee, chief executive of Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Too many people still face dementia alone, and PM Rishi Sunak has the chance to seize this moment and genuinely transform dementia research, diagnosis, and care for one of the biggest health challenges in the UK.
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