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Dementia Strategy

I congratulate the hon. Member for Sutton and Cheam (Mr. Burstow) on securing the debate. We have debated social care and dementia issues on many occasions, and it is always a pleasure, as the Minister responsible for care services, to come to the House to describe the huge progress that we have been making in recent years and our ambitious plans for the future. Dementia is a devastating disease. It is a disease of the present, which affects many people—more than 700,000. The hon. Gentleman mentioned a higher figure; either way, many people have the disease. It is also a major disease of the future, as other hon. Members noted. The number of dementia cases is set to double within a generation. However, I emphasise that it is not a disease without hope. There are many ways in which we can support people with dementia. It is possible for people to live and to live well with the disease, rather than just die from it. That is one reason why we must challenge the stigma and fear attached to it, and the awareness campaign that we launched last week is set to do that among the public and professionals alike. That is the spirit in which the dementia strategy was developed—to empower and support individuals, families and carers to live full and rewarding lives in the face of dementia. That is why I am determined to implement the national strategy quickly, effectively and in full. Let me be clear: dementia has been, is and will continue to be a priority for the Government and for me personally. I was delighted to see that that was noted clearly by the National Audit Office report. It measured progress in terms of the fieldwork five months into our five-year strategy, and I was pleased that it said:""We found strong direction and national leadership for the Strategy by the Director General for Social Care… Departmental leadership throughout development of the Strategy was judged as excellent by most stakeholders."" Today's Public Accounts Committee report describes the national and regional leadership as "strong". Indeed, the Chairman of the Committee, the hon. Member for Gainsborough (Mr. Leigh), summed up at the end of one of the oral evidence sessions by congratulating the witnesses, particularly Mr. Behan,""because I always like to congratulate witnesses who show drive and vigour"." I could not agree with him more, so I would like to take this opportunity to say that, everywhere I go, I see passion, pace and drive in making change happen. The result is that we are seeing real progress and are firmly on track to deliver the strategy that I had the privilege to publish just over a year ago. The past 12 months have been about an active process to lay the foundations for a major shift—a major cultural change—as much as a change in the practice of health and social care professionals. The considerable advances that we have made during year 1 of the strategy will put us in a strong position to transform services in years 2, 3, 4 and 5, and I want to place on the record the progress that has been made. There is strong direction and leadership of the strategy, both nationally and regionally. We have an implementation plan in place to lead the reform process. We have a strong governance structure, with a programme board, a working group and an external reference group, driving forward reform and keeping close tabs on progress. We have strong leaders in place nationally. The first ever national clinical director for dementia, Professor Alistair Burns, was appointed in January. Ian Carruthers, chief executive of the South West strategic health authority, and Martin Green, chief executive of the English Community Care Association, are national dementia champions for the NHS and the independent sector respectively. All three of those national leaders are working to inspire greater ownership and better leadership across health and social care. We have deputy regional directors of social care working to secure local buy-in and providing advice to local organisations. There is also clear and substantial action to raise standards and improve knowledge. Forty demonstrator sites have been set up around the country to consider how dementia advisers and peer support networks can help families to obtain the support that they need. I have met many families who find those forms of support very important.