The charity Alzheimer’s Society has welcomed the appointment of Paul Burstow, a Liberal Democrat MP, as Care Services Minister in the new coalition government. A former member of the All Party Parliamentary Group on Dementia, Mr Burstow is well known for his support of issues relating to dementia and the care of older people. The charity comments: ‘Paul Burstow’s strong social care background and tireless championing of the rights of people with dementia are excellent attributes for a minister for social care.’
In other dementia news, the government has recently published its Programme for Government, which includes a promise that dementia research will be prioritised from now on. The news was welcomed by the Alzheimer’s Research Trust, which commented: ‘Dementia is the greatest medical challenge of our time, costing our economy £23 billion each year. Through this groundbreaking pledge, the new government has recognised the urgency of Britain’s dementia crisis.’
