Tipping Point: The future of dementia (Alzheimer's Research UK, September 2023)

Summary

Dementia remains the biggest killer in the UK and is on track to be the nation’s most expensive health condition by 2030. This report by the charity Alzheimer's Research UK sets out a series of calls for party leaders ahead of the next general election, all of which are underpinned by an urgent recommendation for greater investment in dementia research.

Content

Recommendations

1. Develop a cross-governmental strategy for the prevention of ill health to address the health and lifestyle factors that affect our brain health, reducing dementia risk whilst also improving the health and wellbeing of the population.
2. Invest in the current diagnostic pathway to make it fit for purpose, ensuring it has the resources it needs to meet growing demands, identifying people who could benefit from new treatments or participate in dementia research in a timely way.
3. Include savings in informal care and carers’ quality of life when NICE evaluate the cost-effectiveness of new dementia treatments, making sure viable treatments are available on the NHS as soon as reasonably possible.
4. Establish the UK as a world leader in dementia research, capitalising on initiatives such as the dementia mission and increasing opportunities for people to participate in research across the country.