Welsh Lib Dems call for Dementia plan for Wales.

11.50.34am BST (GMT +0100) Wed 9th Jul 2008

Dementia is rising and there is an urgent need for a Cross Wales Strategy

Welsh Liberal Democrats will today table an amendment in plenary calling for a National Dementia plan for Wales. The numbers of patients suffering from dementia is projected to increase by 31% by the year 2021. Dementia effects 1 in 14 over 65s and 1 in 6 over 80s in Wales.

The Welsh Liberal Democrat Amendment will call on the Government to set out how it plans to deal with the huge projected increases.

The party's health spokesperson, Jenny Randerson AM who will this afternoon set out the case for a national strategy said: "With the ageing population that Wales has, we are going to see a massive increase in the numbers requiring support, care and treatment for dementia.

"We welcome the calls in the motion for more specialist dementia nurses but we urgently believe that a wider strategy addressing the whole package of measures required is needed.

"We are looking at a huge increase in the next twenty years, and it will be felt immediately, the number of people with dementia is growing year on year and it is therefore urgent that WAG bring forward the strategy as soon as they possibly can.

"Dementia is a heart-breaking condition, but the pain and suffering that it causes to patients and their families can be eased through better services. A strategy will need to include, social services, the NHS, carers, NICE guidance and funding.

"I hope the Government will make the decent decision and back our amendment today."

Notes:

1. The Tory motion and the Welsh Liberal Democrats Amendments are below. The Government have tabled two wrecking amendments.

DM3988 William Graham (South Wales East)

To propose that the National Assembly for Wales: Calls on the Welsh Assembly Government to identify resources to increase the number of specialist nurses for patients with dementia.

Amendment 1 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

Insert as new points 1 and 2 at start of motion and renumber accordingly:

"1. Notes the already high levels of dementia in Wales

2. Notes the expected increases in the number of people suffering with dementia in Wales and the UK."

Amendment 2 - Kirsty Williams (Brecon and Radnorshire)

After "Welsh Assembly Government" insert "to bring forward a national dementia plan for Wales to effectively deal with the projected growth in the number of people suffering with dementia over the next 20 years and"

2. By 2021, it is expected that the numbers of people suffering with dementia in Wales will rise by 31% to 48 000.

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