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Making dementia a political priority at Party Conferences

Highlighting changes we need to see for people living with dementia

Every autumn, many political parties across the UK hold their annual conferences. They provide a valuable opportunity to get in front of politicians and press them on why they should make dementia a political priority.

Attending political Party Conferences provides an opportunity to speak to key elected decision makers, and engage them directly on the areas where we need to see policy changed, with fringe events placing us at the heart of robust discussions which inform the development of policy.

Mark MacDonald, Associate Director of Evidence, Policy, and Influencing

Conference season is a whirlwind of speeches, panels, exhibitions, meetings, and networking events. We came away with valuable insights, new connections, and a sharpened focus on how we can engage with decision makers to create the change we need to see for people living with dementia.  

But there’s always stand out moments, here’s this year’s top three from the conferences in England, Northern Ireland, and Wales.

The Big Moment - making changes for people living with dementia

England

At both Conservative and Labour Party Conferences, we attended a Health Charity Showcase hosted by public affairs agency, Hanover. The showcase provided an opportunity to share our work with others in the industry and get valuable facetime with key decision-makers.

This year, at Labour Party Conference, we spoke with the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Wes Streeting MP, and the four other government ministers in the Health team to share the importance of early and accurate diagnosis.

Getting in front of government ministers so early in the Parliamentary session is crucial in gaining their attention and advancing our calls. 

And it worked! After speaking with the Minister for Care, Stephen Kinnock MP, he agreed to speak at our Autumn Parliamentary Reception later this year focused on dementia-specific training for the social care workforce. 

Northern Ireland

For the first time at the party conferences in Northern Ireland, we held fringe events at several conferences, giving us the opportunity to share the lived experience of campaigners, showcase our new research to decision-makers, and engage with others in the health and social care space.

Our fringe event at the Democratic Unionist Party (DUP) Conference coincided with World Alzheimer’s Day where we were joined by prominent political figures like deputy First Minister Emma Little-Pengelly MLA, and DUP Leader Gavin Robinson MP.  

The event was a powerful moment to share the challenges and opportunities in dementia care and healthcare reform, reinforcing the actions that decision makers can take to make dementia a priority. Our campaigner, Jim, also joined us and shared his story with those with the power to create change, highlighting the real-life impacts of dementia. 

Wales

At Plaid Cymru Annual Conference, we presented a motion focusing on dementia diagnosis data in Wales. The motion passed, meaning it now forms part of Plaid Cymru’s policy.

The motion specifically called for the regular publishing of dementia diagnosis data in Wales, an increase in dementia diagnosis in Wales, and a new Dementia Action Plan written alongside people living with dementia.

This was joined by an amendment citing our Make Dementia a Priority evidence and calling for greater research in Wales and was supported by the Health Spokesperson, Mabon ap Gwynfor MS, who has committed to tabling a debate on this issue.

The motion and amendment were a powerful moment in the conference with speakers drawing on their personal experiences of dementia in their speeches. The motion placed dementia firmly on the agenda within Plaid Cymru and puts us in a very strong position ahead of the upcoming Welsh elections.

Making dementia a political priority

What do all the Party Conferences have in common?

We attended nine party conferences across three nations this autumn. Although there were differences, the main takeaway was the same: dementia is not the political priority it needs to be.

Each nation has its own unique dementia landscape, but across the UK we know that the challenges are similar. Dementia diagnoses are not early nor accurate enough, social care is not always personalised or high-quality, and when new treatments come down the line, our healthcare services are not ready to deliver them.

Another step closer to making dementia a priority

At Alzheimer’s Society, party conferences are not a singular moment in time. They are used as a springboard to amplify our influencing throughout the year, and across the three nations.  

Our campaigner network helps us to raise our voice and apply pressure to decision makers to deliver on the promises they make us – if you’re not signed up to our campaigner network, join us here.

We will build on the conversations had and the connections made at conferences to further our policy calls, and make sure we are in the rooms where decisions are made. When we attend party conferences next year, we are determined to be another step closer to making dementia a priority.

To see more of our influencing and campaigning work during conference season and beyond,  follow us on Twitter.