Alzheimer's funding: Fiona Phillips' husband calls Government response 'ageism'

Martin Frizell told ITV that the Government's level of funding for Alzheimer's treatments amounted to 'ageism', and the Department of Health said it is providing record funding and working to slow dementia's progress.

Martin Frizell, husband of former TV presenter Fiona Phillips, told ITV's Good Morning Britain that the Government's level of funding for Alzheimer's treatments was "ageism." Phillips announced in 2023 that she has early onset dementia and has written about her experiences; her parents also died with Alzheimer's. A Department of Health and Social Care spokesperson said the department is "working hard" to help scientists and the NHS find ways to slow dementia's progress and described its support as "record funding." Key details: - Frizell criticised the Health Secretary's decision to remove NHS dementia diagnosis targets and said thousands of people are diagnosed before age 65. - Fiona Phillips was diagnosed with early onset dementia in 2023, has written a book about her experience, and previously made documentaries about her family's history of dementia. - The Department of Health and Social Care said it is working to slow dementia and referred to what it called "record funding" for related work. Summary: Frizell's remarks highlight concerns raised about diagnosis rates and the level of research and treatment funding for Alzheimer's in the UK. Undetermined at this time.