News from Shetland Labour

03 November 2009

Alzheimer numbers to double in Shetland over the next two decades

The number of people in Shetlands likely to be diagnosed with dementia is predicted to double over the next two decades from its present level of 306 to 641.

Rhoda Grant, Highlands and Islands MSP, who obtained this information from Alzheimer Scotland , has given her support to the recent Charter of Rights for People with Dementia in Scotland.

She is calling on the Scottish Government to give the same level of support to dementia care as recently announced by the NHS in England

She said,
" As more and more people survive into older age, there will be a greater need for the caring services to ensure that the quality of life is raised for those with dementia, their carers and their families.

"Earlier this year, the NHS in England introduced a new £150 million investment for the first two years of a five year plan that will provide early diagnosis and treatment of dementia , raise public awareness of dementia , and improve the standard of care for those with the condition .

" Alzheimer Scotland has called for £15 million of funding to increase care provision for dementia in Scotland.

" The Scottish Government should commit itself to this new investment that Alzheimer Scotland are proposing to match the corresponding increase in resources in the NHS in England."


Figures for those estimated by Alzheimer Scotland likely to be diagnosed with dementia in the Highlands and Islands in 2009 and the projected numbers for 2031.

Local authority area :

Highland 3,258 (2009) 6,969 ( 2031)
Argyll and Bute 1,500 ( 2009) 2,844 ( 2031)
Western Isles 461 ( 2009) 771 (2031)
Moray 1,248 (2009) 2,507 (2031)
Shetland 306 ( 2009) 641 (2031)
Orkney 307 ( 2009 ) 675 ( 2031)

Total for H&I 7,080 (2009) 14,407 (2031)

Labour Party video : Against All Odds  Single click on the video to view it .