National Dementia Strategy debate draws response from charity

A leading charity has commented on a recent debate which saw dementia stepping into the spotlight.

Shadow health minister Stephen O'Brien said that a possible Conservative government would ensure that dementia services are a "priority", following reports that the National Audit Office discovered there to be as much as £8.2 billion being spent inefficiently on the condition each and every year.

According to the Alzheimer's Society, this commitment to solving the issue is extremely important and welcomed the issue being discussed.

Andrew Ketteringham, the director of external affairs at the charity, said: "We welcome the support for the National Dementia Strategy from all political parties and their commitment to implement its recommendations.

"But we need less talk and more action for the millions of families battling daily with this devastating condition."

There are around 700,000 people in the UK with Alzheimer's disease or dementia, with this number expected to rise to one million within the next 20 years.

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