Farron praises "outstanding work" of Alzheimer's Society ahead of upcoming inquiry

Speaking before today's meeting of All Party Parliamentary Group on dementia as they prepare for the upcoming parliamentary inquiry into the quality of dementia services in the UK, MP Tim Farron has praised the hard work of the Alzheimer's Society who this year celebrate their 30th anniversary.

Mr Farron is to be a leading member of the APPG 's inquiry into the failure to provide adequate training for people working in the care sector who deal with people with dementia.

There are currently around 700,000 people with dementia in the UK and with the number of people diagnosed with dementia forecast to double within a generation Mr Farron has predicted that organisations such as the Alzheimer's Society will be increasingly relied upon to provide expert care and advice.

Mr Farron has tabled an Early Day Motion in the House of Commons congratulating the Alzheimer's Society and their members for thirty years of outstanding work providing help and information to people affected by all forms of dementia.

Commenting Mr Farron said:

"I am hopeful that the upcoming inquiry will form the basis from which the Government can create a cohesive national dementia strategy that includes providing better training for health and social care staff so that dementia sufferers are given the best care available.

"We only have to look at the example set by the Alzheimer's Society to see what an impact their expert advice and care provides for individuals and families struggling to come to terms with the shock of being diagnosed with dementia.

"The fact that so many of the staff and volunteers have a personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals, or as people with dementia themselves, means that they can provide a support network of first rate care for dementia sufferers and their families.

"Everyone at the Alzheimer's Society should be extremely proud of what they have achieved over these past thirty years. Their tirelessly campaigning now means that people suffering from all forms of dementia have a better future."

1. EDM tabled by Tim Farron MP entitled 30th anniversary of Alzheimer's Society

That this House celebrates the 30th anniversary of the creation of the Alzheimer's Society; notes that there are around 700,000 people with dementia in the UK, a number forecast to double within a generation; applauds the efforts of the 25,000 members of the Alzheimer's Society who work to provide help and information to people affected by dementia; praises the expertise of the staff and volunteers, many of whom have personal experience of dementia, as carers, health professionals or as people with dementia themselves; recognises that the Society invests around £1.5million every year in their Quality Research in Dementia Programme; notes that this money will be used to investigate good practice in care and treatment, and pursuing a cure for people suffering from dementia; and commends the Alzheimer's Society for thirty years of outstanding work campaigning for a better future for everyone affected by all forms of dementia.