MPs have been invited to an event in the House of Commons ahead of the world’s first Primary Progressive Aphasia Awareness Day on 4 April 2025.
This event, sponsored by Helen Maguire MP, and hosted by Dyscover and the Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists (RCSLT), will provide a unique opportunity to hear directly from people living with Primary Progressive Aphasia (PPA) and their families.
PPA is a rare language-led dementia that starts with difficulties in finding words and progresses to impact communication, personality, and behaviour. Speech and language therapists play an important role in diagnosing and supporting individuals with PPA, supporting them to maintain communication and relationships for as long as possible.
You may have also heard of PPA after Bruce Willis was diagnosed with it in 2022 which forced him to retire from his acting career.
This event will show immense support for people affected by PPA and be an opportunity to discuss how attendees can work together to improve services for them.
In pursuit of recognition
The Royal College of Speech and Language Therapists is also encouraging MPs to send a letter to Wes Streeting, the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, to ensure PPA is recognised as a condition needing nationally commissioned services. This would ensure access to timely diagnosis and early intervention such as Speech and Language Therapy which is the primary form of treatment. It will also help families to support the complex communication challenges that this condition brings to their loved ones with PPA.
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