5. Member Debate under Standing Order 11.21(iv): Dementia

Part of the debate – in the Senedd at 4:49 pm on 29 September 2021.

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Photo of Rhys ab Owen Rhys ab Owen Plaid Cymru 4:49, 29 September 2021

Can the Minister, in the future, outline to us how she will address this, the increase in the capacity and the calls by the Royal College of Psychiatrists for this to be done? I am glad that the unique work in Wales aiding early dementia diagnosis is being spread out nationally. I'd like to know when that will take place. 

As mentioned by Sioned and by Luke, charities like the Alzheimer's Society would welcome further detail, would welcome the national dementia data. It's incredible that, in 2021, we don't have basic answers to basic questions about dementia, like how many people live with dementia, how many people provide unpaid care for people with dementia, how can these people be supported, how many people are diagnosed with different forms of dementia, how many people have early onset dementia, as Altaf hinted in his speech. These are basic answers, and we need to develop a plan for the future—an accurate plan, an evidenced plan, and a long-term plan. Unfortunately, as one who has experienced three grandparents, my father, and his sister with dementia, I can tell you, Dirprwy Lywydd, as Luke Fletcher stressed, that every case is completely different. We need a truly person-centred approach to this for policy making in Wales. To do that, we need as much data as possible.

Dirprwy Weinidog, I am pleased that you are in this role; more pleased than you can ever imagine, genuinely pleased, because I know for you, like others, this is personal, and there's drive behind what you're doing. I look forward to working closely with you, Luke and others within this Chamber to tackle this important issue, because truly, this needs cross-party co-operation, and it needs action now.