Last week was Dementia Awareness Week, a particularly important subject for me and so many across Fylde who have seen this particularly cruel disease impact themselves personally or those they love.
I was proud to show my support for this cause both in Fylde and in Parliament, attending the Alzheimer’s Society’s Parliamentary Awareness Day on Wednesday. It was fascinating to learn about how modelling, using local age, socio-economic and wider health data, is providing a more accurate projection than ever before about the prevalence of Dementia in an area, enabling the NHS and charities to target areas where diagnosis figures are lower than expected.
On Friday, I met with the team from Windmill Lodge at their coffee morning in support of Dementia UK. As our population ages the challenges posed by dementia will only continue to grow, with these pressures felt particularly in the social care sector, something that I discussed with the Windmill Lodge team as they continue preparations to open their doors in the coming months.
As with so many diseases, greater awareness is key to increasing diagnosis rates. The Alzheimer’s Society predict that 60% of dementia cases in Fylde are currently diagnosed, just shy of the national ambition of a two-thirds diagnosis rate. This is something I want to see improved upon and a topic I will be speaking with Ministers and our local NHS teams to support.
The incredible work carried out by Blue Skies Charity in support of the Blackpool Teaching Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust makes such a difference, with their fundraising helping enhance the patient and staff experience along the Fylde Coast. Recent donations include reclining chairs for the Vic’s Orthopaedic Ward, new speech & language technologies and providing television coverage to ensure every patient was able to watch last years’ Jubilee celebrations.
I have spoken previously about the fantastic role played by Kila Redfearn, who heads the charity in addition to serving as Lytham town crier. It was wonderful to join her in soaking up the atmosphere at their flagship fundraiser, the Fairhaven Lake Dragonboat Race, which remains a real highlight on the local calendar. A huge well done to all those participating.
On a similar note, it was lovely to be at Freckleton C of E School on Friday, where I joined the many children and parents leaving the car at home and travelling through the village on foot as we participated in Friday’s Lancashire Walk to School Day, held to commemorate the recent Coronation.
Joining staff and pupils for assembly at the school is always a welcoming experience and I was honoured to participate in the trophy giving following the school’s recent sports day.