Every three minutes, someone in the UK develops dementia. It is one of the most feared conditions and behind every diagnosis lies a family grappling with its devastating effects.
Dementia is therefore an all too familiar story for many families, including my own. My grandfather was diagnosed at a relatively young age and lived with the condition for many years. At first, he was the same grandfather we had always known and loved as children. Medicines helped manage his symptoms, allowing him to maintain some daily activities, but they didn’t tackle the underlying condition. And as these stopped working, his condition progressed rapidly. He was robbed of his memories and physical prowess. The impact was profound – not just on him, but also on my dear grandmother and our entire family. However, he very much lives on. Inspired by his experience, my family has become deeply committed to fundraising, raising awareness, and now, through my work as a legislator, advocating for change.
My experience is echoed across nearly one million lives in the UK today – lives that dementia will tragically cut short. This week, we learned dementia remains the UK’s leading cause of death. Without urgent action, an ageing population means even more families will face dementia’s heartache.
As the newly elected MP for Henley and Thame, I feel the weight of responsibility to act. Many of my constituents, like so many others, are navigating the emotional and economic strain of dementia. From the husband who visits his wife daily in a care home, to the daughter balancing a career while caring for her mother, these are the stories that ground my commitment to addressing this crisis.
For decades, dementia has been seen as an inevitable part of growing old, a cruel twist of fate beyond our control. But recent scientific breakthroughs are changing that narrative. Advances in diagnostics, cutting-edge treatments, and a deeper understanding of brain health offer a glimpse of a different future – one where we can slow, stop and reverse all forms of dementia. Progress is finally within reach, but only if we seize the moment.
This progress isn’t just about hope for families like mine and yours. It’s about the NHS, stretched to breaking point. Dementia costs the UK £42 billion a year. Walk into any hospital ward, and one in four beds will likely be occupied by someone over 65 with dementia. Over the last decade, the financial burden of emergency admissions of people with dementia alone has doubled. Tackling dementia isn’t just a healthcare challenge – it’s an economic necessity.
In recent months, we’ve seen bittersweet headlines about Alzheimer’s drugs like lecanemab and donanemab. While these treatments are not cures and carry risks, they are the first to slow memory and thinking decline caused by Alzheimer’s. But neither drug is available on the NHS, and major hurdles remain.
Looking ahead, NHS England has identified nearly 30 potential dementia treatments that could be available by 2030. This progress reflects the great strides made in research over the last 20 years. But turning this potential into reality requires bold government action over the coming months through the NHS 10-Year Plan, the Industrial Strategy, and the Spending Review.
The NHS 10-Year Plan is our chance to prepare the health system to deliver the next generation of dementia treatments equitably and quickly. It must also focus on early diagnosis. In local GP surgeries, simple blood tests could one day replace costly brain scans, detecting Alzheimer’s earlier and more accurately than current methods. These innovations would not only transform the treatment and care people receive, but also make the system more efficient.
The Industrial Strategy offers another powerful opportunity. Dementia research isn’t just about finding cures, it’s about creating economic growth. According to Alzheimer’s Research UK, every £1 invested in dementia research generates £2.59 for the economy, supporting thousands of highly skilled jobs with salaries well above the regional average across the UK.
The Spending Review, too, has a critical role to play. The Autumn Budget made welcome progress, with measures such as the increased Soft Drinks Industry Levy to combat unhealthy diets – a known risk factor for dementia. With up to 45% of dementia cases considered preventable through modifiable changes, these steps are a promising sign of what targeted economic measures can achieve.
We are at a crossroads. Advances in science and technology have given us tools previous generations could only dream of. Now, it’s up to us to ensure these breakthroughs reach the people who need them. I know this sentiment is echoed across the UK, and I urge fellow MPs from all parties to take actions to support people affected by dementia now and in the future.
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