Dementia tsar visits Bury

Date published: 08 September 2010

England’s first “dementia tsar” will visit Bury to mark World Alzheimer’s Day on Tuesday September 21.

Professor Alistair Burns will visit the Memory Service on Parsons Lane and then join GPs, psychiatrists, carers, third sector organisations and providers of health and social care services at the Fusilier Museum.

Presentations will be made by Sue Clarke of the Alzheimer Society about the Bury Dementia Advisor Service, and by Rachel Yates, team leader of Making Space, who will provide an update on establishing a Dementia Cafe for Bury funded through the Age of Opportunities scheme.

Prof Burns’ official title is the National Clinical Director for Dementia, the first appointed in England. He is Professor of Old Age Psychiatry at the University of Manchester and Manchester Academic Health Science Centre.

The professor will be welcomed to Bury by Pat Jones-Greenhalgh, Bury Council’s executive director of adult care services.

She said: “We are delighted that Professor Burns is coming to Bury on World Alzheimer’s Day. Dementia affects thousands of people in Bury, and we work in partnership with many organisations to respond to their needs. The professor’s visit gives us the chance to highlight some of the work done here in Bury, and discuss future policy and objectives.”

Anne Coates, director of commissioning and deputy chief executive for NHS Bury, added: “We are trying to make a real different to the lives of people living with dementia and their families. To have Professor Burns visit Bury and give us a chance to showcase local work and future plans is a real honour.”