Alzheimer’s Disease: Diagnosis and Access to Experimental Drugs
Debate between Baroness Nargund and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I am very willing to take the noble Lord’s advice, and I will seek out a copy as soon as I can after this session.
Baroness Nargund (Lab)
My Lords, women account for nearly two-thirds of people who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease and two-thirds of unpaid carers for those who suffer from Alzheimer’s disease, yet women tend to receive a delayed diagnosis or misdiagnosis. There are complex relationships between gender, hormones, ageing and the progression of disease. I request that my noble friend ensures that gender-specific research, diagnosis and care are embedded in the new women’s health strategy refresh, as well as the dementia framework.
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
I assure my noble friend that I will pass on her comments to my noble friend Lady Merron, who brought together the women’s health strategy, such an important piece of work and absolutely relevant in dealing with health inequalities and inequities. We know they exist.
Breast Cancer Screening: Women Over 70
Debate between Baroness Nargund and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds
I declare an interest, in that I am in the same age group. All I can say from personal experience is that, when I went for my last screening, I was informed by the local screening team. This speaks to the point that it is patchy and inconsistent; we need to have a fundamental check around the country to ensure that consistency exists. The noble Baroness has made my point perfectly: too many women are not aware of what is available. That is why we are going to address the needs of women going forward.
Baroness Nargund (Lab)
My Lords, I thank the noble Lord, Lord Palmer, for raising this and my noble friend the Minister for raising awareness about one of the largest age-extension trials. It is true that it will give us results, but I was not aware that the final report would be available in 2027; I was under the impression that it would be by 2032. Can my noble friend confirm that the final report on age extension will be available by 2027? In the meantime, given that international professional guidelines support regular screening for women over 70, could we consider regular screening for women in the community when we establish neighbourhood health centres?
Baroness Blake of Leeds
I stress the importance of being mindful of all ongoing research, as there is extensive research going on in all areas of cancer. We also need to be very mindful of the new technologies coming forward. The EDITH programme, looking at the use of AI, could potentially significantly reduce the number of medical practitioners who need to be involved in screening, thus freeing up capacity and making sure that trials can be implemented. I want to reassure my noble friend of the work that is happening and the intention to abide by the timeframes set.
Equality: Break Down Barriers to Opportunity Mission
Debate between Baroness Nargund and Baroness Blake of Leeds
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
We have a commitment to look at what works and to make sure we put young people at the heart of everything we do. An example of something that happened post Brexit is that UK cities kept their relationships with European cities, even though we are outside of the EU. We are looking at what works and at how we can improve and enhance opportunities that will help take young people forward.
Baroness Nargund (Lab)
My Lords, I declare my interests as founder and trustee of the Health Equality Foundation and chair of The Pipeline, a gender parity consultancy. I welcome and applaud the Government’s commitment to break down the barriers to opportunity in this mission. The motherhood penalty remains a persistent barrier and a key driver of gender inequality. The latest report published by the Health Equality Foundation shows that 24% of women have either left jobs or reduced work due to childcare challenges. Can my noble friend the Minister say what the Government will do in this mission to address gender inequality and opportunities?
Baroness Blake of Leeds (Lab)
The aspect of gender inequality which my noble friend referred to has been well documented, and there is a lot of evidence to support what she described. That is why we are so focused on giving support during early years to help new mothers and young mothers cope with motherhood itself. We are also providing for more childcare and all the things that support and enable women to return, in full capacity, to the workforce.