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Progressing a National Long-Term Care Strategy under Labour
May 13 @ 9:30 am - 1:00 pm
Recent NHS data reveals a significant rise in dementia diagnoses, with 499,068 people in England diagnosed by November 2024—a jump of 19,416 from the previous year (NHS England). By 2024, nearly 944,000 people in the UK are living with dementia, making it the leading cause of death. This number is expected to exceed one million by 2025 due to the aging population and increasing prevalence (Seaford Head Retirement Home). The financial cost of dementia is substantial, estimated at £42 billion in 2024, rising to £90 billion by 2040 (Alzheimer’s Society).
In response to the growing dementia crisis, the government has focused on improving diagnosis, care, and research. They are increasing funding for dementia research to maintain the UK’s leadership in the field and have supported a national strategy for dementia research (Alzheimer’s Society). The government aims to strengthen the national dementia strategy by enhancing community-based care, integrating services across the NHS and local councils, and providing greater support for families (NHS England). Labour has also prioritised training NHS staff and social care professionals to improve care quality and proposed expanding memory clinics to enable early diagnoses and timely treatment (Seaford Head Retirement Home). Furthermore, they have called for increased support for caregivers, including better access to respite care, training, and financial assistance (Alzheimer’s Society).
Various organisations, including Alzheimer’s Society, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and Dementia UK, have called on the current government to take more action. Campaigners urge significant increases in research funding, especially for new treatments and diagnostic tools. They also advocate for the creation of a national dementia care strategy to address gaps in care services, improve integration between health and social care, and ensure nationwide availability of dementia services (National Dementia Action Alliance, 2023). Other key calls include better training for dementia care workers, the establishment of a National Dementia Care Fund, and more support for caregivers, particularly through respite care and financial assistance (CQC, 2023; Alzheimer’s Society, 2023). Lastly, advocates are pushing for the development of dementia-friendly communities to make public spaces and services more accessible (National Dementia Action Alliance, 2023).
This symposium provides a platform for health professionals, academics, care experts, and other key stakeholders to explore the developments in the state of dementia care in the UK under the new Labour government, and share insights on public health strategies to reduce the risk of dementia. It will also focus on developing a long-term plan to significantly enhance the quality of care.
Key Speakers
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Sojan Joseph MP, Co-Chair of the Adult Social Care All-Party Parliamentary Group
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Jill Quinn MBE, Founder & CEO of Dementia Forward
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Ian Turner, Co-Chair of the National Care Association
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Megan Anderson & Ashton Fitzell, Policy Officers at Alzheimer’s Society
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Heather and Paul Dowler, Founders of Talk Dementia UK
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Programme
- Discuss the vision for a long-term national dementia strategy that the government should implement, focusing on expanding access to care and improving care quality post-general election.
- Review the progress made by the government in enhancing dementia care approaches and advancing public health initiatives related to dementia.
- Explore how emerging technologies, scientific advancements, and medical innovations can reduce the incidence and severity of dementia.
- Identify strategies individuals can adopt to lower their risk of developing dementia.
- Examine the current staffing shortages in dementia care and propose strategies to improve recruitment, training, and retention of workers, as well as providing better support for those in the sector.
- Assess the state of social care in relation to dementia care, considering potential reforms for improving access, quality of care, and reducing costs in both social and private residential dementia care.
- Raise awareness about the vital role of unpaid carers in dementia care and explore ways to better support them in their caregiving responsibilities.
