Campaigners deliver 17,500-name petition to stop cuts to dementia care

Alzheimer campaigners have handed Scotland’s social care minister a petition signed by 17,500 people to stop cuts to services.

A group of people living with dementia and their carers joined activists – including former first minister Henry McLeish – outside Holyrood on Thursday to hand over the document to Tom Arthur.

Alzheimer Scotland – which organised the petition – found cuts of £154 million are being proposed across the country in services delivered by local councils.

The organisation has urged ministers to introduce a consistent standard of care to avoid differences between local authority areas.

Henry Simmons, chief executive of Alzheimer Scotland, said: “People living with dementia are being denied the same security, fairness and dignity that others with long-term health conditions can rely on.

“For other conditions, such as cancer, heart disease and diabetes, Scotland already has clear national care pathways. These guarantee timely diagnosis, consistent treatment, and specialist support no matter where someone lives.

“But for dementia, there is no such guarantee. It is the UK’s biggest killer, and yet dementia care is left to a postcode lottery, with provision varying widely from one area to the next.

“This must end – and we have more than 17,500 people signing our petition who agree. This sends a clear message that the time for our country’s leaders to act is now.

“We urge the Government to make dementia the priority it must be by introducing our Dementia Care Pathway Guarantees.

“Evidence-based interventions must be given to everyone with a dementia diagnosis throughout the progression of their condition – every time, everywhere throughout Scotland.”

The Scottish Government has been contacted for comment.