Mulholland & Pratchett call for dementia to be on the election agenda

7.27.00pm BST (GMT +0100) Wed 23rd Sep 2009

Greg Mulholland, MP for Leeds North West joined with author Sir Terry Pratchett and Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, to call for dementia research to be at the heart of the agenda for the forthcoming election.

Greg attended the "Dementia Decade: a cure by 2020?" event at the Liberal Democrat Party Conference with Sir Terry and Rebecca Wood, calling for increased research funding into dementia and Alzheimer's.

Commenting, Greg said

"It is shameful that there should be such a low level of research funding. It is shocking that there is less spent on a mile of motorway than there is on research into dementia and Alzheimer's.

"I am pleased to join Sir Terry in promoting the demands of the Alzheimer's Research Trust that this issue should be at the heart of the agenda in the upcoming election campaign.

"Dementia costs the UK economy £17bn per year, and this is set to rise to £35bn by 2051. We simply cannot afford to wait, we must take action now.

Commenting, Sir Terry Pratchett, Patron of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said:

"There's only two ways it can go: researchers, with as much help you can give them, may come up with something that reduces the effects of this dreadful, inhuman disease, or we will have to face the consequences of our failure to prevent the final years of many of us being a long bad dream. The strain on carers and their support is bad enough now; before very long the effects on the health service and society itself, will be unbearable."

Commenting, Rebecca Wood, Chief Executive of the Alzheimer's Research Trust, said:

"The UK is fortunate to play host to the world's leading dementia scientists. We punch well above our weight in the fight against a condition that afflicts 30 million people worldwide.

"Dementia should be at the heart of the election campaign, and I am delighted to join with Greg and Sir Terry to help prioritise the need for greater research funding."