UK Government outlines its new plans to improve dementia care and research

Minister of State for Social Care and Mental Health Alison McGovern has outlined a series of measures to improve dementia care, support social care workers, and speed up research into new treatments

Speaking at the Alzheimer’s Society Conference in London on 17 September, Ms McGovern said dementia had been neglected for too long. She highlighted the need for closer links between health and social care.

The minister said advances in dementia research, alongside changes to the social care system, could create more opportunities for people living with the condition and their families.

Focus on social care workforce

A major part of the speech focused on the challenges facing the adult social care workforce.

Ms McGovern highlighted the sector’s size and makeup, noting that women make up almost four in five of the 1.5 million-strong workforce. She also pointed to the high proportion of workers on zero-hours contracts and those working part-time.

The government is introducing a Fair Pay Agreement for adult social care workers, which is intended to improve pay, employment conditions and professional development. The first agreement is being backed by £500 million.

The minister also highlighted the need to attract more young people into social care. Skills England estimates that an additional 200,000 adult social care workers will be needed by 2035, while only around 7% of the current workforce is under 25.

Ms McGovern linked this challenge to wider concerns about young people being out of work and struggling with poor mental health, suggesting that social care could provide employment and opportunities for younger workers.

New approach to dementia treatment

The speech also highlighted recent developments in dementia research.

Ms McGovern referred to the UK Dementia Trials Network, which has supported 10 trials since its creation and has been the first site internationally to recruit participants for some studies.

She also highlighted findings from the CELIA Phase 2 trial involving diranersen, which, according to the minister, showed the drug removed harmful proteins from the brain and slowed cognitive decline.

Other areas of research mentioned included blood-based biomarker tests, sleep and dementia risk, and physical activity programs. The government is also supporting research into the causes of neurodegenerative diseases.

Faster access to research and innovation

A key concern raised during the speech was the time it can take for scientific discoveries to become part of everyday healthcare.

The government has committed £5 million to the Dementia Patient Flow Challenge, designed to identify ways to speed up diagnosis and introduce innovations into practice.

It also plans to increase participation in dementia trials to 2,000 people this year, expand investment in the AD-SMART Platform Trial and establish the next phase of the Dementia Trials Accelerator.

The government says trials should be available to people across the country, regardless of where they live.

New national framework for dementia care

Later this year, the government plans to publish the first Modern Service Framework for Frailty and Dementia.

The framework aims to set national standards and improve cooperation between health and social care services. It will set expectations around the support people with dementia and their families should receive.

The government also plans to appoint a Dementia Tsar, following a recommendation from Baroness Casey.