← Back to Westminster Hall Debates
Dementia Support: Hampshire
21 January 2026
Lead MP
Liz Jarvis
Eastleigh
LD
Responding Minister
Stephen Kinnock
Tags
NHSSocial CareEmployment
Word Count: 4288
Other Contributors: 6
At a Glance
Liz Jarvis raised concerns about dementia support: hampshire in Westminster Hall. A government minister responded.
Key Requests to Government:
Liz Jarvis asks for more support to stay at home and more support in the community, and family carers should be informed about available support and given greater access to regular respite. She urges the Government to meet with Alzheimer’s Research UK to discuss its call for an 18-week target from referral by GP to diagnosis.
How the Debate Unfolded
MPs spoke in turn to share their views and ask questions. Here's what each person said:
Lead Contributor
One in three people born today will develop dementia, and across Hampshire more than 22,000 people are currently living with dementia. In Eastleigh alone, approximately 1.41% of the local population is living with dementia, higher than the national average. The average wait time for a dementia diagnosis in Eastleigh is 91.7 days, and post-diagnostic support is inconsistent.
Alex Brewer
LD
North East Hampshire
Alex Brewer shares personal experience with a relative who could not get a diagnosis in Hampshire, leading to self-funded care. He agrees that the Government must prioritise this care for continuity and support.
Chris Hinchliff
Lab
North East Hertfordshire
Chris Hinchliff agrees that around a third of people currently living with dementia do not have a diagnosis, and urges for an 18-week target from GP referral to diagnosis. He highlights the issue of family carers being placed in impossible situations financially due to flawed assessments.
Damian Hinds
Con
East Hampshire
Highlighted initiatives like the East Hampshire dementia services directory and voluntary sector groups like Dementia Friendly Petersfield and Alton, commending all wonderful voluntary sector groups that provide valuable support to people with dementia.
Winchester
Visited the St John’s dementia group in Winchester which provides vital support for people with dementia and their carers by giving them respite. Emphasised the importance of supporting such community groups.
Jim Shannon
DUP
Strangford
Jim Shannon agrees that Northern Ireland's ageing population will see a significant rise in dementia cases, rising from 22,000 to 43,000 by 2040. He supports the need for the Government to prepare and implement changes now.
The Parliamentary Under-Secretary of State for Health
Olivia Bailey
Emphasised the importance of volunteer participation in dementia research and highlighted the Government's measures to support carers, including increasing the carer’s allowance weekly earnings limit and reviewing employment rights.
Government Response
Stephen Kinnock
The Minister for Care
Government Response
I thank the hon. Member for Eastleigh (Liz Jarvis) for securing this debate; I know that dementia support in Hampshire is a cause close to her heart and also mine, as I lost my mother to Alzheimer’s in December 2023. Almost 1 million people across the UK are living with dementia, each facing unique challenges. Our goal is to ensure everyone receives high-quality care from diagnosis through end-of-life support. We aim to increase diagnosis rates to two-thirds of those with dementia and by November 2025, the overall estimated rate was 66.5%, while Hampshire's was 64%. The Government will deliver a modern service framework for frailty and dementia by 2027, aiming for 95% of people with complex needs to have an agreed care plan. We are committed to professionalising the adult social care workforce through our expanded care pathway and investing £500 million towards a fair pay agreement process set to be implemented in 2028. The 10-year health plan aims to deliver more localised care, with NHS priorities redirected for better dementia support. Despite NICE's inability to recommend new disease-modifying treatments, we remain confident in their processes and are working on measures to boost access to new medicines. Acknowledged the significant role of unpaid carers in dementia care, announced increases to the carer's allowance, discussed ongoing reviews on paid leave and public consultations, mentioned additional funding for adult social care, praised the hon. Member for Eastleigh for raising an important topic, and outlined the Government’s plans to integrate health and care services through a 10-year plan and neighbourhood health service initiatives.
▸
Assessment & feedback
Summary accuracy
About Westminster Hall Debates
Westminster Hall debates are a chance for MPs to raise important issues affecting their constituents and get a response from a government minister. Unlike Prime Minister's Questions, these debates are more in-depth and collaborative. The MP who secured the debate speaks first, other MPs can contribute, and a minister responds with the government's position.