Eric Baxter Published 20 Apr 2012 16:00

LABOUR'S 11 candidates for next month's council elections have all signed up to Alzheimer Scotland's pledge to make dementia a priority in their ward.

The issue of dementia care has already been raised in the campaign by independent candidate Peter Campbell, who highlighted his wife's experience as a sufferer of the condition last week.

Labour's Inverclyde South West contender, Councillor Gerry Dorrian, who sits on the Inverclyde Community Health and Care Partnership, said his party was committed to delivering the best services possible for affected families.

Mr Dorrian said: "Like Alzheimer Scotland, Inverclyde Labour believe that people with dementia, their carers and families are entitled to be treated with dignity and respect.

"They should be supported by skilled workers who understand the illness and be included in their local communities."

Mr Dorrian said over the past five years Labour have launched the Inverclyde Dementia Support and Development Service to provide continuous support, information and education to people coming to terms with dementia and their carers.

He added: "We recognise that more needs to be done.

"We pledge to continue to improve services for people with dementia to better meet their needs, and to work to remove the stigma that surrounds dementia by making Inverclyde a 'Dementia Friendly Community'.

"Labour councillors will ensure our most vulnerable citizens receive the standards of care they deserve."

Excerpt from:
Labour in dementia pledge