News Date: Friday 5th November 2004
Loughton Meets Worthing Alzheimers Society at Parliament
A delegation from the Worthing Branch of the Alzheimer?s Society and the local Health and Social Care sector along with East Worthing & Shoreham MP, Tim Loughton, lobbied the Health Minister, Dr. Stephen Ladyman, on Thursday 4th November 2004.
The delegation focussed on the problems of funding specialised services for younger people (under 65) diagnosed with dementia.
The Worthing Alzheimers Society, together with funding from West Sussex County Council through the Carers Grant and a secondment from West Sussex Health & Social Care NHS Trust, will be starting the first day centre for younger people with dementia in West Sussex very soon.
Chairman of the Worthing Branch, Peter Delamere, who is on the delegation said:
'A working group of colleagues from the Branch and local statutory services have been planning this service for younger people with dementia for nearly two years. However younger people with dementia are not a high health priority so it just hasn?t got the required full funding. We will be asking the Minister to reassess the health priorities and get some recognition for this client group, so the local health Primary Care Trusts can provide funding for the specialised services that they need.'
MP Tim Loughton became involved with this project when he was invited to the Branch as a ?Special Guest? at an Alzheimer?s Caf? in the Summer, social evenings specifically run every few months as part of the project for younger people with dementia.
Tim commented:
'With possibly upwards of 300 people under the age of 65 in Adur Arun and Worthing PCT who suffer from dementia, it is not good enough for the Government to sweep the issue under the carpet. Younger people with dementia and their carers should have access to appropriate services and support, and for this to happen, funding must become available. I sincerely hope that today?s meeting with the minister will result in positive action being taken at the local level and that in the near future younger dementia sufferers no longer have to put up with inadequate services.'
ENDS
