MORE screening for Alzheimer’s disease was needed in the less densely-populated areas of the country, West Somerset MP Ian Liddell-Grainger has warned.

Mr Liddell-Grainger said progress in calculating the size of the nation’s dementia problem was being held back by a lack of testing facilities.

Alzheimer’s is thought to affect an estimated one in 14 people over the age of 65 and one in every six over the age of 80, though one in every 20 sufferers is under the age of 65.

But the charity Alzheimer’s Research UK says many cases are not being detected early enough, partly through a lack of awareness.

After visiting a presentation by the charity in Westminster, Mr Liddell-Grainger said he believed many sufferers in rural areas were undiagnosed purely because they were so remote from clinics where they could be tested for the condition.

He said: “For people in larger towns and cities there is usually a large hospital pretty much on the doorstep.

“In the country, getting to a hospital may involve one or more lengthy bus journeys and it is simple to see how people can dismiss their symptoms as nothing significant and conclude it is not worth the bother of making a long journey to an appointment.

“We have to raise awareness of Alzheimer’s and in particular to persuade people to get in touch with the health authorities immediately they suspect they may be developing symptoms.

“Medical experts are always there to help, but they cannot offer that help without first being asked.”