HC Deb 18 July 1990 vol 176 cc574-5W
Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what is his estimate of the number of(a) men and (b) women who are suffering from Alzheimer's disease and other dementia who are aged (a) under 40 years, (b) 50 to 60 years, (c) 60 to 70 years, (d) 70 to 80 years, (e) 80 to 90 years and (f) over 90 years; and what proportion that figure is per 1,000 of the population in each band.

Mr. Dorrell

The only information available centrally is the number of hospital episodes. The table shows estimated number of finished consultant episodes— ordinary and day case—in National Health Service hospitals and units in England, for the 1988–89 financial year where the diagnosis was senile and presenile dementia —ICD 290—and the corresponding rates per 1,000 population.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health if he will make a statement on the mental illness specific grant, respite care and Alzheimer's disease and other dementias.

Mr. Dorrell

It is the Government's policy that all people suffering from mental illness, including Alzheimer's disease and similar dementias, should benefit from an appropriate range of services, including respite care. The Government will introduce a specific grant to social services authorities from 1 April 1991 to encourage them to increase the level of social care available to this group of clients.

Ms. Walley

To ask the Secretary of State for Health what methodology is used to assess the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

Mr. Dorrell

The Government are not aware of any studies to assess the incidence of Alzheimer's disease and related dementia.

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