Cameron urges NHS to fund Alzheimer's drugs after mother's illness
Summarised from 2 outlets · Updated 14 Nov, 16:31 · Archive
Lord David Cameron has urged the NHS to make Alzheimer's drugs available, reflecting on his mother's experience with the disease.
Lord David Cameron has urged Andy Burnham to make Alzheimer's drugs available on the NHS, saying it is the 'perfect time' for government action with promising treatments emerging. The 60-year-old former prime minister reflected on his mother Mary Cameron's final years, describing them as a 'world of darkness'. He revealed that his mother repeatedly asked his sister Clare to kill her, with Clare responding that she could not do so as she would face prosecution for murder.
Drugs including lecanemab and donanemab were licensed in 2024 but remain unavailable on the NHS outside clinical trials. Lord Cameron, who has been joined by dozens of dementia specialists in his calls, has also urged a maximum 18-week wait for Alzheimer's diagnosis.
In comments about social care policy, he expressed regret that his government had failed to introduce a cap on care costs. He suggested that an insurance-based system could help protect families from exceptionally large bills.
How it is being reported
- David Cameron, 60, reveals emotional family admission: 'world of darkness'Lord David Cameron has urged Andy Burnham to make Alzheimer’s drugs available on the NHS as he revealed how his mother repeatedly begged his sister to kill her as the disease took hold.Oxford Mail · 14 Nov, 16:00
- David Cameron, 60, reveals emotional family admission: 'world of darkness'Lord David Cameron has urged Andy Burnham to make Alzheimer’s drugs available on the NHS as he revealed how his mother repeatedly begged his sister to kill her as the disease took hold.Oxfordshire Guardian · 14 Nov, 16:00
In this story: David Cameron · Andy Burnham · Mary Cameron · NHS
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