Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to develop intervention strategies which tackle poor psychological wellbeing as a contributory factor to the development of dementia.

Depression and social isolation are risk factors for developing dementia. They can be caused by, or contribute to, poor psychological wellbeing. By tackling these factors, we will therefore support wellbeing and reduce the risk of developing dementia.

We deliver dementia research via the National Institute for Health and Care Research (NIHR). The NIHR invested £2.9 million to develop an app that will address identified risk factors for dementia, including depression and social isolation.

NHS Talking Therapies provide treatment to adults with common mental health conditions including depression. People can self-refer to NHS Talking Therapies Services or be referred by their general practitioner. We will recruit an additional 8,500 mental health workers to reduce delays and provide faster treatment, easing pressure on busy mental health services.

Social prescribing is a key component of the National Health Service’s Universal Personalised Care. Social prescribing link workers take a holistic approach to people’s health and wellbeing. They connect people to community groups and statutory services for practical and emotional support.