Member of Parliament for Clwyd South, Simon Baynes MP, has highlighted the impact that COVID-19 has had on people suffering with Dementia and their family and friends.
On Thursday 12th November 2020, Mr Baynes participated in a Westminster Hall debate on ‘The effect of the COVID-19 outbreak on people affected by Dementia’. Mr Baynes spoke about how important the issue is to both himself and constituents, many of whom have been in contact to express the impact that COVID-19 is having on their lives and relatives suffering with Dementia. He paid tribute to constituent, Gillian Molloy, who had been in contact to tell of the impact this is having on the life of her husband who is in a care home and suffering with dementia, telling of how his health has deteriorated since she hasn’t been able to visit as frequently as she used to.
The UK Government committed to spending over £300m within their Challenge on Dementia 2020 Strategy between 2015 and 2020. Mr Baynes praised the UK Government’s efforts on this, particularly as this was met a year early with £341m by March 2019. Simon Baynes MP also paid tribute to the 5.4 million unpaid carers and the extremely important work they do.
Mr Baynes also highlighted the work that his charity, Concertina, which provides music for the elderly in care homes across England and Wales has done and continues to do. He stressed the importance of music to the lives of Dementia patients in lifting the spirits and taking patients back to their youth.
Simon Baynes MP said:
“I understand that this is an incredibly challenging time for most people, particularly those suffering with Dementia and their family and friends. I was very moved by a number of the emails I received on this issue from my constituents and felt it was important to highlight the issues which they are currently facing as a result of the pandemic.
“I am encouraged to see that the UK Government is committed to this issue as we have seen with the Challenge on Dementia 2020 Strategy. This is an issue which has affected my family and continues to affect many families across Clwyd South and is an issue I will continue to support”.
