NORTH West Hampshire’s dementia- friendly summit date and venue has been announced.

The event, hosted by Kit Malthouse MP in partnership with the Alzheimer’s Society, will be held on November 12 at The Lights in Andover.

“We’re a step closer to making life that little bit better for people with dementia,” said Kit.

“I look forward to sitting round the table with businesses, charities, health professionals and people living with the condition, and mapping out what we can practically do to help make north west Hampshire a dementia- friendly zone – be it structured activities in safe places or more local shops receiving dementia awareness training.”

Nationally, an international dementia research institute, based in the UK, will be discussed between the health and business departments after the Chancellor’s spending review.

Kit Malthouse MP was one of the main architects of the idea when he was deputy mayor at City Hall.

He said: “I’m pleased to report that it’s firmly on the Government agenda and will be discussed by ministers this autumn.

“It’s good news that more people with dementia than ever before are receiving a diagnosis in the UK.

“However, some four in ten people still do not know they have the condition.

“These people are more likely to become lonely and isolated and they need support, information and access to care. We need to do more to help them.”

Nearly 25,000 people in Hampshire have the condition.

Kelly Inwood, Alzheimer’s Society services manager for the area, said: “Too many people with the condition live in communities that do not support and include them. We need progress at the end of this.”