A cruel illness

THE Prime Minister is absolutely right when he portrays dementia as a national crisis. The costs associated with this debilitating illness already eclipsed the amount spent treating cancer patients.

In announcing the doubling of research funding, a major boost to Yorkshire scientists, David Cameron has shown the resolve that transformed the treatment of illnesses like cancer and HIV/Aids. A death sentence to many in recent times, many sufferers now enjoy a high quality of life thanks to continuing medical advances.

That said, Mr Cameron’s welcome ambition does not excuse the Government’s obligations to existing dementia patients, or those who have the tragic misfortune to be struck down with this condition in the coming years.

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The reality is that there are still huge disparities in the treatment that they can expect, as evidenced by the variations in the number of fall victims taken to A&E by ambulance. As such, Mr Cameron’s research commitment must be matched by a renewed political drive to ensure that the frail are treated with compassion and dignity.

That means examining every aspect of the care industry to ensure that hospitals and local authorities work in tandem – rather than leaving patients, and especially those without the love of family carers, at the mercy of perverse decisions or spending cuts.

If care to dementia patients is improved from the outset, the burden to the NHS may not be as great as it struggles to cope with the consequences of an ageing society. However this will require political surgery rather than well-intended platitudes.