Inverclyde has worst rate of dementia deaths in Scotland

The latest figures released by National Records of Scotland (NRS) show that in the last five years an average of 157 per 100,000 of the local population have lost their lives to the disease.

It comes weeks after setbacks in both drug and alcohol related deaths in Inverclyde, also causing concern among those in charge of running services locally.

In all the reports from NRS all three death rates are linked to high levels of deprivation and health inequalities which directly impacts on Inverclyde.

Council leader Stephen McCabe says that it is now up to both the UK and Scottish Government to recognise the levels of funding that are needed in Inverclyde.

He said: "It is very disheartening when these figures come out for drug deaths, alcohol-related deaths and then dementia "But these figures are not new, they come as no surprise to anyone. Time and time again Inverclyde is there along with other authorities like West Dunbartonshire, Dundee and Glasgow, all with the highest levels of deprivation "But when funding local authorities more weight is put on population than recognising deprivation. I would argue that there should be a greater priority on funding to tackle poverty and health inequalities.

"Inverclyde HSCP has also faced real term cuts which makes it harder and harder every year to provide the services that are needed.

"Unless we have extra resources we cannot make the difference. Until everyone is working together the UK Government, Scottish Government "We had talks with the then drug minister Angela Constance a couple of years ago but there was no new money for Inverclyde."

According to the latest stats on Alzheimers and dementia deaths the age-standardised dementia mortality rate, based on figures from 2017-2022, was 156,7 which had fallen from 171.1 per 100,000 population last year.

But it was still higher that the rest of the country with the national average significantly lower at 121.

In total over the last five years 647 people in Inverclyde have lost their lives to Alzheimer's and dementia, with 100 last year.

The highest number in the last five years was 153 deaths in 2017 and 147 in 2020.

The latest report states that rates of Alzheimer's and dementia deaths are higher in deprived areas.

With dementia deaths specifically Councillor McCabe said that there needed to more He said: "Where there is a will there is a way. Look at what they managed to achieve with covid vaccinations in a short space of time.

"We will continue to do all we can in Inverclyde to provide the best services possible for those living with dementia."