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27/02/2007
Research warns of rise in dementia cases
Up to 1.7 million people in the UK will have dementia in the UK by 2051, new research has claimed.
The research conducted by the London School of Economics and Institute of Psychiatry predicted that the number of dementia cases would increase by 154% as a result of Britain's ageing population.
Currently, more than 700,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of dementia, and it costs around £17 billion a year to look after them.
One in five people over the age of 80 and one in 20 over the age of 65 suffer from some form of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form.
There is no cure and symptoms include memory loss, delusions and speech difficulties.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said that dementia was one of the most serious health issues in the UK, which would place an "intolerable strain" on the country's health and social care system unless there was more investment in dementia services, research, support and training.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said that the government had doubled the research being done on Alzheimer's disease and had also recently announced new investment in emergency respite care for carers of people with dementia.
However, last November, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence refused to recommend the use of three drugs - donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine - to treat patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. NICE ruled that the drugs should only be used to treat patients in the moderate stages of the disease.
Two drugs companies - Pfizer and Eisai - are currently seeking a judicial review of the decision.
(KMcA)
The research conducted by the London School of Economics and Institute of Psychiatry predicted that the number of dementia cases would increase by 154% as a result of Britain's ageing population.
Currently, more than 700,000 people in the UK suffer from some form of dementia, and it costs around £17 billion a year to look after them.
One in five people over the age of 80 and one in 20 over the age of 65 suffer from some form of dementia, with Alzheimer's disease being the most common form.
There is no cure and symptoms include memory loss, delusions and speech difficulties.
Neil Hunt, chief executive of the Alzheimer's Society, said that dementia was one of the most serious health issues in the UK, which would place an "intolerable strain" on the country's health and social care system unless there was more investment in dementia services, research, support and training.
Health Secretary Patricia Hewitt said that the government had doubled the research being done on Alzheimer's disease and had also recently announced new investment in emergency respite care for carers of people with dementia.
However, last November, the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence refused to recommend the use of three drugs - donepezil, galantamine and rivastigmine - to treat patients in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease. NICE ruled that the drugs should only be used to treat patients in the moderate stages of the disease.
Two drugs companies - Pfizer and Eisai - are currently seeking a judicial review of the decision.
(KMcA)
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29 June 2011
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More money and expertise will be ploughed in to dementia research in the hope of moving closer to finding a cure or better treatment for the millions of families affected by this devastating condition, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow announced.
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More money and expertise will be ploughed in to dementia research in the hope of moving closer to finding a cure or better treatment for the millions of families affected by this devastating condition, Care Services Minister Paul Burstow announced.
07 November 2011
Six In Every Ten With Dementia 'Undiagnosed'
Around 60% of people with dementia in England go undiagnosed. This means almost 400,000 people could be going without the vital support the NHS and social care services can offer. The National Audit Office estimates that, nationally, dementia costs health and social care services £8.2 billion per year.
Six In Every Ten With Dementia 'Undiagnosed'
Around 60% of people with dementia in England go undiagnosed. This means almost 400,000 people could be going without the vital support the NHS and social care services can offer. The National Audit Office estimates that, nationally, dementia costs health and social care services £8.2 billion per year.
26 March 2012
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David Cameron is set to announce that funding for research into dementia will be doubled to £66m by 2015. Dementia is thought to affect around 800,000 people in the UK and the prime minister is expected to say in a speech that the level of diagnosis, understanding and awareness of dementia is "shockingly low".
Increase In Dementia Research Funding
David Cameron is set to announce that funding for research into dementia will be doubled to £66m by 2015. Dementia is thought to affect around 800,000 people in the UK and the prime minister is expected to say in a speech that the level of diagnosis, understanding and awareness of dementia is "shockingly low".
12 October 2015
£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
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£200m Polar Research Ship To Be Built
The preferred bidder to construct a £200m state-of-the-art polar research ship has been named. Cammell Laird in Birkenhead has been selected as the preferred bidder for the project which will help the UK remain at the forefront of climate and ocean research.
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