Baroness Louise Casey, chair of the Independent Commission on Adult Social Care, has called for a national effort to address dementia care in the UK, likening it to the campaign against cancer. In a statement to the Daily Mail, she emphasized the need for dementia to become 'Britain’s next great national mission.' This appeal follows a report from the Alzheimer’s Society and The King’s Fund, which indicates that dementia care in England is outdated and requires significant reform.
The report highlights that advancements in cancer treatment over the past 50 years provide a model for improving dementia care. It notes that the number of dementia cases is expected to rise from 1 million to 1.4 million by 2040, increasing the economic burden associated with the condition. Casey, along with Professor Sir Mike Richards, former national cancer tsar, will address the Alzheimer’s Society annual conference in London, urging the government to take decisive action.
In her article, Casey reflected on the historical perception of cancer as a death sentence and the progress made since the 1970s through research, public awareness, and improved treatments. She argued that similar efforts are needed for dementia, which is currently perceived as a social care issue rather than a significant health challenge.
The report calls for strong leadership and clear targets for dementia diagnosis and treatment, as well as improved data quality. It also criticizes the NHS for treating dementia patients inadequately, often providing minimal support. Richards noted that dementia care is lagging behind cancer care and that lessons from the latter’s progress should be applied to dementia.
The government has announced plans to appoint a 'dementia tsar' to oversee improvements in care, and there are new drug developments on the horizon. However, concerns remain about the prioritization of dementia care, as indicated by the removal of an 18-week diagnosis target from a government guidebook.
Social care minister Alison McGovern is expected to acknowledge the neglect of dementia care in her speech at the conference, outlining plans for a Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia to enhance support for patients and their families. Casey concluded by stressing the urgency of addressing dementia care, advocating for a collective national effort to ensure that dementia does not continue to devastate lives.