Question to the Department of Health and Social Care:

To ask the Secretary of State for Health, what discussions he has had with the Royal College of Physicians on a link between type 2 diabetes and dementia; and what steps he is taking to treat dementia caused in that way.

NHS England is implementing the NHS Diabetes Prevention Programme, and it is possible that prevention of Type 2 diabetes may in the longer term reduce dementia risk, although at this point this is speculative rather than being based on evidence.

The treatment of dementia associated with Type 2 diabetes is as for any dementia, although it is important to also address the Type 2 diabetes and vascular risk. People with dementia who also have diabetes need support to manage their condition.

Improving the treatment and care of people with dementia, reducing the incidence of dementia and improving dementia research, is a key priority for the Government. That is why in February 2015, the Prime Minister launched his Challenge on Dementia 2020 as a successor to the Prime Minister’s Challenge on Dementia 2012-2015.

My Rt. hon. Friend the Secretary of State has had and continues to have discussions on these matters with a range of organisations including the Royal College of Physicians.