Dementia Support Line
Alzheimer’s Society take the ‘Fix Dementia Care’ campaign to Party Conferences
We attended this year’s Conservative and Labour Party Conferences to discuss our Fix Dementia Care campaign and share our work from the past year with MPs, Councillors and party members.
Jeremy Corbyn MP, with Alia and Jordan from Alzheimer's Society
This month, Alzheimer’s Society has seen a wealth of political support for our Fix Dementia Care campaign amongst decisionmakers and political party members at Labour and Conservative Party Conferences.
The Society’s campaign is based on the principle that social care should be funded like the NHS, schools and other public services, where the cost is spread across society so individuals aren’t left alone with the devastating cost of specialist dementia care.
Howard Gordon, co-chair of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group, with Esther McVey MP
Ahead of Conference season, we were delighted that Caroline Dinenage MP, Minister for Care, repledged her commitment to unite with us against dementia on World Alzheimer’s Day.
The warm reception that the campaign received from politicians across the spectrum saw us - alongside people affected by dementia - speak to MPs, councillors, MEPs, Prospective Parliamentary Candidates, delegates and party members who were keen to hear more about our campaign for social care reform and to pledge their support for our call on government to Fix Dementia Care and deliver quality, person-centred care which doesn’t require people to sell their homes to pay for.
Health Secretary, Matt Hancock MP meets with volunteer Howard Gordon, to hear his story
The Alzheimer’s Society team were pleased to welcome several high-profile visitors to the stand.
At Conservative Conference, we spoke to the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, Rt Hon Matt Hancock MP, who came to meet with us and spoke with Howard Gordon of the 3 Nations Dementia Working Group.
At Labour’s conference, we were visited by Rt Hon Jeremy Corbyn MP, Leader of the Opposition; John McDonnell MP, Shadow Chancellor of the Exchequer and Jon Ashworth, Shadow Health and Social Care Secretary; all of whom gave their backing to our call for reform.
Labour’s John McDonnell pledged that a future Labour government would deliver free personal care for the over 65s.
(Left) John McDonnell MP with Alia from Alzheimer's Society and (right) Jon Ashworth MP
The introduction of free personal care would be a major step in addressing the struggle that many people with dementia face in accessing care, significantly reducing costs, but we as a Society have re-emphasised to the Labour Party that the specific needs of people with dementia must be recognised within this, and that quality, tailored social care must be the priority.
In his speech to Conservative Conference, the Prime Minister confirmed he will "end the injustice that means that people have to sell their homes to pay for their old age”.
We will continue to campaign for care that recognises dementia as a health condition which should be paid for accordingly, and for quality person-centred, tailored care to be available to everyone living with dementia.
