Record numbers of people below retirement age are being treated for dementia in Scotland, new figures have revealed.
In 2014/15, there were 777 patients under 65 given medicine for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease.
That’s around a quarter more than six years ago, when just 596 people in that age group were being treated.
The ISD Scotland figures also revealed there were four people treated for dementia between the ages of 15 and 29, and a further 12 between the ages of 30 and 39.
The Scottish Conservatives said the statistics prove the need for a form of Frank’s Law – the campaign to extend free care for those suffering dementia under the threshold age of 65.
Those behind the campaign in memory of Dundee Utd legend Frank Kopel, who died from the disease having been diagnosed aged just 59, have been critical of the Scottish Government for not moving faster in addressing the discrepancy.
This week, official figures showed a rise in dementia cases generally.
The number of people being treated soared by 10 per cent last year, with more than 25,000 patients now receiving drugs for the disease.
That’s a staggering 265 per cent rise in a decade.
Scottish Conservative health spokesman Jackson Carlaw said:
“Dementia is an illness very much associated with those later in life.
“But as we can see from these figures, it is becoming more of an issue for those still of working age.
“That’s why it’s essential we ensure people under the age of 65 and suffering dementia are afforded exactly the same treatment as those over that age.
“There are record levels of spending on health in Westminster, which will reach an additional £8 billion a year by 2020.
“That means Scotland’s NHS will have an extra £800 million, and with that money coming in, perhaps better investment in this area would be a good place to start.”