The National Assembly’s Petitions Committee has received a petition calling for a strategy to improve the lives of people living with dementia in Wales.
The petition states:
“We call on the Welsh Government to commit to a dementia strategy that improves the lives of people living with dementia in Wales.
“There are currently 45,000 people estimated to be living with dementia in Wales, less than 50% of whom have received a formal diagnosis. Receiving a diagnosis of dementia empowers people to make decisions about the care and support they receive; it opens the door to accessing services and, where necessary, medication.
“However, even those who have received a diagnosis have most likely not received the information and support that they need in order to live well with dementia. One in ten people with dementia in Wales did not receive any support at all in the first year after their diagnosis, leaving them to deal with their diagnosis alone.
“People living with dementia in Wales are less likely to receive a diagnosis, and are less likely to have access to post-diagnosis support than those living in the rest of the UK. This has to change.
“We want the Welsh Government to develop a dementia strategy for Wales, one that demonstrates a commitment to improving diagnosis rates, and ensures the access to local services and the quality of care that people living with dementia deserve.”
The petition, which has gathered more than 5,800 signatures, was presented to members of the Petitions Committee on Tuesday 12 July.
Images from the handover are available on request.
For more information, interviews, photo or film requests please contact National Assembly media relations on 0300 200 7487 or email news@assembly.wales.
More information about the National Assembly’s petitions system.
More information about the National Assembly’s Petitions Committee.