Part of the debate – in Westminster Hall am 9:30 am ar 16 Mawrth 2010.
Lorely Burt
Shadow Minister (Business, Innovation and Skills), Chair of the Liberal Democrat Parliamentary Party
9:30,
16 Mawrth 2010
I congratulate my hon. Friend on securing this important debate. Unlike him, I have had the tragedy of Alzheimer's strike people close to me. Has he read the Alzheimer's Research Trust report that estimated that 31 per cent. of people with dementia are registered on GPs' lists? It suggests that that is due to GPs' lack of training and confidence in diagnosis. However, a person close to me was referred by a GP to a consultant. He actively helped her with the memory test to improve the outcome. Does my hon. Friend share my concern that the health service seems to be pursuing a strategy of ignoring the problem unless relatives fight for help, or the illness becomes so bad that it can no longer be ignored?