Menu
24/01/2024
Alliance Calls For Urgent Reform Of NI Dementia Care
The Alliance Party has called for dementia treatment in Northern Ireland to be urgently reformed and updated to capture new breakthroughs arising from research.
The party's Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, made the call as ground-breaking new drugs and the potential for early intervention arising from blood tests have been shown to offer an entirely different pathway to slowing down progression of the disease.
The South Belfast MLA has said: "Northern Ireland has traditionally been one of the leaders in the identification of dementia and in the provision of world-class pathways for those diagnosed. However, breakthroughs in research now mean a very different approach is required and we are at risk of falling behind.
"Where before it was a matter of identifying who had dementia and who did not, and perhaps identifying a type of dementia to inform the approach to treatment and support, we now need to know much more about how the individual is affected to establish if there is potential to slow down progression or even identify the disease before symptoms are evident.
"We already have new drugs coming into use, but such interventions also invariably require much more regular use of scans to check against progression. This means that a treatment pathway needs to be created that is quite different from any currently existing.
"Today we have also heard of hopes that blood tests may be used, potentially a decade or more prior to symptoms, to identify people who are likely to develop dementia and enable earlier and crucial intervention. This too, if demonstrated in further research, would fundamentally change how we should be managing dementia and intervening as soon as possible to slow and potentially even stop progression.
"It is estimated that almost three quarters of those in care homes across the UK have dementia or severe memory problems, and there are also a lot of people currently managing to stay at home thanks to domiciliary care or care from relatives or friends. It is essential that there is no delay in ensuring that services and support in Northern Ireland are adapted and updated to maximise the potential of slowing progression and provide for a much higher quality of life through to old age."
The party's Health spokesperson Paula Bradshaw, made the call as ground-breaking new drugs and the potential for early intervention arising from blood tests have been shown to offer an entirely different pathway to slowing down progression of the disease.
The South Belfast MLA has said: "Northern Ireland has traditionally been one of the leaders in the identification of dementia and in the provision of world-class pathways for those diagnosed. However, breakthroughs in research now mean a very different approach is required and we are at risk of falling behind.
"Where before it was a matter of identifying who had dementia and who did not, and perhaps identifying a type of dementia to inform the approach to treatment and support, we now need to know much more about how the individual is affected to establish if there is potential to slow down progression or even identify the disease before symptoms are evident.
"We already have new drugs coming into use, but such interventions also invariably require much more regular use of scans to check against progression. This means that a treatment pathway needs to be created that is quite different from any currently existing.
"Today we have also heard of hopes that blood tests may be used, potentially a decade or more prior to symptoms, to identify people who are likely to develop dementia and enable earlier and crucial intervention. This too, if demonstrated in further research, would fundamentally change how we should be managing dementia and intervening as soon as possible to slow and potentially even stop progression.
"It is estimated that almost three quarters of those in care homes across the UK have dementia or severe memory problems, and there are also a lot of people currently managing to stay at home thanks to domiciliary care or care from relatives or friends. It is essential that there is no delay in ensuring that services and support in Northern Ireland are adapted and updated to maximise the potential of slowing progression and provide for a much higher quality of life through to old age."
Related Northern Ireland News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.
04 October 2021
New Initiative Launches To Help Safely Recover Missing People With Dementia
A new pilot initiative to help police quickly and safely recover people with dementia who have been reported missing has been launched.
New Initiative Launches To Help Safely Recover Missing People With Dementia
A new pilot initiative to help police quickly and safely recover people with dementia who have been reported missing has been launched.
02 April 2012
Awards Celebrate Dementia Services
Health Minister Edwin Poots presented the Northern Ireland Dementia Excellence Awards at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast, on Friday. The awards are a celebration of innovation and good practice. They are designed to recognise organisations and individuals who have worked to improve the quality of life of people with dementia.
Awards Celebrate Dementia Services
Health Minister Edwin Poots presented the Northern Ireland Dementia Excellence Awards at the Stormont Hotel in Belfast, on Friday. The awards are a celebration of innovation and good practice. They are designed to recognise organisations and individuals who have worked to improve the quality of life of people with dementia.
21 September 2022
New Initiative To Help Trace Missing People With Dementia
A new initiative to help Police and other agencies find those with Dementia quickly and safely is to be rolled out across Northern Ireland.
New Initiative To Help Trace Missing People With Dementia
A new initiative to help Police and other agencies find those with Dementia quickly and safely is to be rolled out across Northern Ireland.
22 September 2016
'Still Me' Dementia Campaign Launches In NI
A campaign to raise awareness about dementia has launched in Northern Ireland. The 'Still Me' public information campaign includes TV advertising and focuses on awareness raising, available information and support, training and development for Health and Social Care staff, training on Delirium and providing short breaks and support for carers.
'Still Me' Dementia Campaign Launches In NI
A campaign to raise awareness about dementia has launched in Northern Ireland. The 'Still Me' public information campaign includes TV advertising and focuses on awareness raising, available information and support, training and development for Health and Social Care staff, training on Delirium and providing short breaks and support for carers.
28 November 2024
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
Japanese Cyber Security Firm Expands in Northern Ireland
Economy Minister Conor Murphy has announced that Nihon Cyber Defence (NCD) is expanding its operations in Northern Ireland. The Japanese cyber security firm, which specialises in protecting critical infrastructure, governments, and businesses from cyber-attacks, first established a presence in Northern Ireland in 2018. This latest £1.
-
Northern Ireland WeatherThis Evening and Tonight:Rain clearing away east by early evening with some clear spells but a few showers likely to affect the North coast and other areas towards dawn, remaining breezy and mild overnight. Minimum temperature 9 °C.
