Tackling dementia and a commitment to care
DEMENTIA is an illness that blights our country and it is reassuring to know that the Prime Minister recognises the devastating effect of this condition and grasps the scale of the response that is needed.
He will today announce more than £300million to be spent on research into dementia over the next five years, vital support for worldleading scientists and doctors.
The human brain is mystifyingly complex and dementia is a condition that has proved a daunting challenge for medical science.
he human brain is mystifyingly complex and dementia is a condition that has proved a daunting challenge for medical science
With 850,000 people suffering from dementia in this country - and as life expectancy increases this is expected to rise to more than a million within the next 10 years - this is a health crisis that necessitates largescale investment. However the Prime Minister's efforts go beyond committing these funds.
They also encompass trying to make life with dementia better by training more than a million NHS staff in how to treat those with dementia and expanding the dementia friends scheme.
It is an uncomfortable truth that many people, while infinitely compassionate, are just not aware of how best to interact with people who have dementia - and that can include NHS staff. This training and guidance will hopefully make the world a better place to live in for those with dementia. At least until a cure is found.
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THE exceptional economic success fostered by this Government continues with yesterday's public borrowing figures making pleasant reading for the Chancellor.
The Treasury recorded a surplus of £8.8billion for January, the highest since 2008 and up £2.3billion since last year.
With wages rising, employment soaring and inflation falling the Government deserves to be fully commended for turning the economy round following the mess it inherited from Labour.
The chaos engulfing the Greek economy is a timely reminder of the damage that can be done when poorly disciplined governments fail to manage their finances sensibly and prudently.
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AT A height of just 3ft 7in Pedro the pony may be small but he gave Ebony Horse Club in Brixton a big problem.
Although he is the perfect size to be petted by small or disabled children he could not see over his stable door.
Young members of the club rode to his rescue though by devising him a periscope dubbed the "Pedroscope".
