Browse Sections

• Education
• Barlow's brief 
• Special reports

Dementia patients are leading the way

Vic Barlow
6/12/2006

THERE are some truly cruel diseases and none more so than Alzheimer's. It robs sufferers of their memories turning friends and family into strangers. You'd think any government would be desperate to alleviate their suffering but not so. The Department of Health has decreed that dementia drugs will NOT be made available to all.

Blowing almost a billion pounds of taxpayers money on The Dome was fine, another £500m on useless IT systems, £250m on surveillance helicopters that won't fly, plus £400m on a Scottish Parliament building ten times over budget. None of these created much of a stir but drugs for dementia patients are, apparently, out of the question.

So I wasn't surprised when the families of sufferers made a strong remonstration supported by an outraged public, but what really impressed me was members of the support group marching through Macclesfield in vigorous protest culminating at the Mulberry Tree Cafe.

For far too long we have complained about government ineptitude without ever leaving our armchairs. It's taken the courage and determination of Alzheimer sufferers and their families to show some true grit. Remember how quickly the Chancellor backtracked on fuel tax after the oil protest? Governments do not like public protest. They rely on a docile electorate and any show of civil disobedience sends them into panic.

And panic they damn well should. If they can't find a way to alleviate the suffering of dementia patients then they don't deserve to be in office.

Barlow's Brief will support the 'Hands off Dementia Drugs" campaign and be proud to do so.

• THE views on this page are those of Vic Barlow and do not necessarily reflect the views of the Express.