Alzheimer’s Disease

Baroness Bull Excerpts

Monday 13th October 2025 Lords Chamber

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

In addition to the points that I have already made, I add that our work through the life sciences plan will be of great assistance in ensuring that we remove obstacles and make the route to which the noble Lord refers as quick as possible, so that we can move from development to delivery for the people who actually need this. We will ensure that we reduce friction and optimise access to and uptake of new medicines. That includes speed of decisions and implementation, which I am sure will be most welcome.

[Baroness Bull (CB)]

My Lords, the noble Baroness’s Question asked about not just access to care but quality of life. Is the Minister aware of the growing body of evidence that creativity enhances the quality of life of those with dementia, and that of their carers, and provides an effective mechanism for interaction between the two? What is her department doing to explore how creativity can be embedded as part of the treatment to improve quality of life for those with dementia?

[Baroness Merron (Lab)]

The noble Baroness makes a good point. I have been involved personally in a number of discussions about the role of creativity, and I certainly acknowledge it. It is perhaps helpful to refer to the RightCare dementia scenario, which works through the whole of the pathway for those with dementia. It is about not just diagnosing but looking at the best kind of approaches to support people on their journey from diagnosis through to the rest of their lives.