Government Must Get Serious About Dementia Research - Mulholland

12.00.00am GMT Wed 3rd Feb 2010

Greg Mulholland MP the Liberal Democrat Spokesperson for Health and Older People has responded to today's report by the Alzheimer's Research Trust which suggests the number of people suffering from dementia is 15% higher than previously thought.

Speaking in a debate on the Government's track record on dealing with dementia last week Greg lamented the lack of funding that had gone into dementia over the past decade.

Commenting Greg said:

"The cost to the NHS of dementia is more than that of cancer, heart disease and strokes put together, but the budget for research is a fraction of that for cancer.

"The public need to be assured by the Government that we are making progress-even if it is only slow progress, given the recession-towards the £96 million research budget that the Alzheimer's Research Trust estimates is necessary to tackle this appalling range of diseases.

"The current research budget is only a third of that and the lack of funds being allocated is a clear obstacle towards finding a cure."