Boris Johnson acknowledges the unfairness in the way people with dementia are supported, compared to other health conditions.

On 6 October 2021, the Prime Minister, Boris Johnson spoke at the Conservative Party Conference, acknowledging that the social care crisis and the unfairness in the way people with dementia are supported, compared to other health conditions.

Fiona Carragher, Director of Research and Influencing, responded to Johnson’s speech:

‘We’re pleased to hear the Prime Minister acknowledge the horrendous struggles people affected by dementia, the majority of those using social care, have battled with for far too long.

‘The pandemic has laid bare the urgent need for social care reform. We need to draw a line in the sand after the past 18 months, seeing the Government take urgent steps to shake up the system to provide the best quality care and support now and in years to come.

‘We look forward to seeing in more detail the investment and arrival of new technology to bring health and social care together, but this should be seen as a tool and not the solution.

Funding reforms are also a positive step forward, but we risk the system collapsing if we wait until this cash injection arrives in 2023.  

‘We must see an absolute minimum of £3.9bn per year in the Comprehensive Spending Review and a clear timetable for delivery of long-term reform, so we aren’t letting down the 850,000 people with dementia and their families.’