CAMPAIGNERS from the Alzheimer's Society in Preston travelled to London yesterday (Wednesday) to protest against the lack of NHS support for the cost of care and drugs for people with dementia.

About 20 people from the Central Lancashire and Fylde branch of the Alzheimer's Society, based at Lancaster Road, Preston, joined hundreds of members from other Alzheimer's Society groups, throughout the country, to protest outside the House of Commons.

Their action follows an on-going consultation by the NHS body, the National Institute of Clinical Excellence (NICE), which could mean that drugs currently available to treat the condition, and costing the health service £2.50 a day per person, would be denied to people with mild to moderate Alzheimers.

Sydney Senior, of Green Drive, Penwortham, has cared for his 78-year-old wife, Marie, since she was diagnosed four years ago.

She takes medication which falls within the group of drugs, known as cholinesterase inhibitors, that are currently being looked at as part of the institute's appraisal and can vastly improve the quality of life for people with Alzheimer's disease.

The NICE guidelines said the drugs would not be withdrawn for existing patients but the recommendations would apply to new patients.

Mr Senior, also 78, said: "The medication allows Marie to walk about and we can go for a wander around the park.

"The drugs really can improve the quality of a person's life.

"It is inevitable that Marie will also have to go into a care home permanently, which could cost me up to £500 a week.

"I will go bankrupt because it's too much for me to afford."

Julie Coventry, branch secretary, said: "People seemed to be celebrating because they thought the institute had reversed their plans to withdraw the drugs but this is not the case. A decision will not be made until October and this is why we decided to protest at Westminster."

The consultation on the provisional recommendations will continue until March 22 and anyone with an interest in the appraisal can comment via the website at www.nice.org.uk.

A spokesperson for the institute said: "The advisory committee will meet in June to consider the responses received and the final guidance is expected in October."