UK dementia research charity Alzheimer’s Research UK is calling on the Government to protect dementia treatments as the NHS copes with future budget concerns.
Following an NHS board meeting on 30 November 2017, media reports suggest that future treatments may be rationed due to budget constraints, including treatments for dementia, arthritis, hearing loss and blindness. Alison Evans, head of policy at Alzheimer’s Research UK is concerned about the possible impact in the face of the UK’s ageing population and ongoing efforts to develop life-changing treatments for dementia.
“With 850,000 people currently living with dementia, a number projected to exceed one million in just eight years, dementia research and treatment must become a national priority”.
“Reports that dementia treatments could be limited in future are deeply concerning, both for the people with dementia benefiting from medicines today, and for the thousands whose lives could be transformed by future developments in research. If the NHS begins to cut back on dementia treatments now, future treatments could face additional hurdles in reaching people living with dementia.
Alzheimer’s Research UK would like to see dementia given a classification that protects existing and future treatments, and ensures the financial support needed to treat the growing number of people with the condition.”
