POLICY WATCH
Minister for Solidarity and Health outlines the future of dementia policy in France Alzheimer Europe interviewed the French Minister for Solidarity and Health, Olivier Véran, about the future of dementia policy in France following the conclusion of the country’s Neurodegenerative Disease Strategy in 2019. We also spoke to Joël Jaouen, President of France Alzheimer, for his thoughts on the future priorities for dementia policy. France’s Neurodegenerative Diseases Plan came to a conclusion at the end of 2019 - what are your reflections on this programme? The choice to bring together three neurodegenerative diseases (Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s and Multiple Sclerosis) in a single plan was not immediately understood. Five years later, we have assessed the plan positively overall. Of course, a 30-year-old with Multiple Sclerosis does not have the same needs as an older person with Alzheimer’s disease. But the approach proved effective in several ways. Other diseases have benefitted from the achievements of the three successive Alzheimer’s plans since 2000. For example, respite platforms are now open to all neurodegenerative diseases. This aside, we also addressed the specificities of each disease. Encouraging an earlier diagnosis for Alzheimer was one of our priorities. The translational approach has proved to be successful in developing and coordinating research on neurodegenerative diseases. Seven regional teaching and research centres of excellence have joined the European centres of excellence as part of the COEN (international network of centres of excellence in neurodegeneration). The Plan was evaluated by two external academics – can you give us an insight into the conclusions they have reached? They have made seven recommendations, the main one being to extend the plan in the form of a roadmap created with patients’
associations, with a basis in the Global Action Plan on Dementia developed by the World Health Organization (WHO). The academics also stressed the need for alignment with other strategies, such as the national health strategy’s “priority for prevention” or the national policy for the elderly. Is there likely to be another national plan which focuses on dementia or neurodegenerative diseases? We have chosen to continue the plan for two years as a roadmap focused on a few priorities with patient associations. I’m convinced it’s important to include people living with the condition, looking for their input and experiences.
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We have chosen to continue the plan for two years as a roadmap focused on a few priorities with patient associations. I’m convinced it’s important to include people living with the condition, looking for their input and experiences.” Our aim is to consolidate some achievements such as the diagnosis strategy which now needs to be adopted by GPs. We also need to evaluate some pilots before deciding what comes after. Many projects have been funded during the plan, prioritising territorial initiatives, which should now be evaluated to
Olivier Véran, Minister for Solidarity and Health
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Some questions have insufficiently been addressed so far: dementia is clearly a question that affects older people, but we must adapt the answers to the needs of young people with dementia.” identify the most efficient practices. This is also why we need this transition. Some questions have insufficiently been addressed so far: dementia is clearly a question that affects older people, but we must adapt the answers to the needs of young people with dementia. That was a weakness of the former plan and we will try to make some progress in the next two years. Much remains to be done, but nowadays, the challenges are quite different. If I focus on the diagnosis, one of our priorities, the context is very different. In France, 28 resource and research memory centres for complex and atypical cases, as well as 500 to 600 memory consultation centres provide diagnostic Dementia in Europe 25
