Alzheimer Europe Welcomes Launch Of English Dementia Strategy

Main Category: Alzheimer's / Dementia
Article Date: 05 Feb 2009 - 3:00 PDT

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This week, the English Health Secretary, Alan Johnson and Care Services Minister, Phil Hope launched the first-ever National Dementia Strategy for England. In support of the Strategy, the government has pledged an extra GBP 150 million.

The 17 recommendations contained in the Strategy are based on the three key themes of (i) raising awareness and understanding, (ii) early diagnosis and support and (iii) living well with dementia Having worked closely alongside the government to develop the Strategy, the Alzheimer's Society believes that the strategy "will make an incredible difference to the lives of people with dementia and their carers".

Welcoming the launch of the Strategy, Maurice O'Connell, Chairman of Alzheimer Europe, said, "I am delighted for the 570,000 people living with dementia in England, as well as their carers, that this long-awaited Strategy will now be implemented and that England joins Norway, France and Scotland in giving dementia the priority it deserves. I hope that other national European policy-makers take heed and implement their own national dementia strategies."

Alzheimer Europe is the umbrella organisation of national Alzheimer associations and currently has 31 member organisations in 27 European countries. The mission statement of the organisation is to change perceptions, practice and policy to ensure equal access of people with dementia to a high level of care services and treatment options.

Alzheimer Europe

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