Edward has attended a cross-Party Parliamentary event hosted by dementia research charity, Alzheimer’s Research UK, and global biopharmaceutical company, MSD to hear more about dementia in Charnwood, and give his backing to their work in researching the disease and possible treatments.
As part of NHS East Leicestershire and Rutland CCG and NHS West Leicestershire CCG, there are an estimated 2204 people in the Charnwood constituency living with dementia who have not yet received a diagnosis. Alzheimer’s disease – the most common cause of dementia – is a major healthcare challenge of our time. There are 850,000 people currently living with dementia in the UK and this number is expected to exceed one million within the next ten years. Whilst there is currently no treatment to slow, cure or prevent the disease, if diagnosed early, there are greater opportunities for people and their loved ones to plan for their care and live well.
Edward, who is also Co-Chair of the All-Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, said: “Dementia is a huge medical and social care challenge for our country, and our time: with growing numbers of people developing the condition, there is an urgent need for new treatments and preventions. We all have a role to play in raising awareness of dementia, and keeping it firmly on the political agenda; we must continue to support and press ahead with ground-breaking research to try to find a way of slowing down, and ultimately of curing dementia; and we must do all we can to make sure the care and support is available to people with dementia and their families and carers. If we are to create a world where people are free from the fear, and heartbreak of dementia, we must work together to channel our efforts towards that goal.”